Wetherspoons customers have reacted with frustration after the pub chain removed free refills on hot chocolate and mochas, following new government rules aimed at tackling obesity.
The legislation, which came into effect on 1 October, prevents drinks with high sugar content from being eligible for free refills. While it mainly targets sodas, the sugary content in hot chocolate and mochas also falls under the restriction. Tea and coffee refills remain unaffected.
Some customers and staff have pointed out an apparent flaw in the policy: tea and coffee can still be sweetened with unlimited sugar sachets. One customer wrote on social media, “But I can put as many sugars in my tea as I please. Take that.”
An employee added, “Made even funnier by the fact that it’s due to the sugar content of hot chocolate, but customers are still fine to use as many sugar sachets as they want in each of their mugs of unlimited tea/coffee.”
The move is not unique to Wetherspoons. Morrisons has also withdrawn a similar hot chocolate refill offer in its cafes.
A Wetherspoons spokesperson told FOODBible: “As a result of government regulations which came into force on 1st October, Wetherspoon has withdrawn hot chocolate and mocha from its free refill offer on hot drinks. The offer still applies to tea and all other coffees.”
The government defended the policy, stating it aims to reduce obesity and encourage healthier choices. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions. The end of promotions such as buy one get one free on unhealthy foods was first proposed by the previous government in 2020 and came into force at the start of this month.”
