Doorstep delivery service, Milk and More, slated for online-only stance by Newbury residents

A COMPANY that delivers milk, dairy and other produce to hundreds of households in the Newbury area has faced a social media backlash over its decision to only accept orders via email.

As reported in last week's Newbury Weekly News, Milk and More announced that it was switching to an online only system from April 24 and urged everyone who currently receives a delivery to sign up for an account to continue using the service.

The company said there are a number of benefits to moving online, including cheaper milk, access to exclusive online offers and the option to change or amend an order up until 9pm the evening before delivery.

However, a number of residents have got in touch with the Newbury Weekly News to express concern that the changes penalised the elderly and those without access to a computer.

Last week, 70-year-old Newbury resident Mary Speake - who has been getting her milk delivered to her door three times a week, every week, for the past 20 years - told the NWN that she would now have to get a bus to the supermarket as she didn't have any way of ordering online.

And after the story was shared on the Newbury Today Facebook page, several other people told of similar concerns.

Chris Preston posted: "My 90-year-old grandad has had milk delivered all his life, he has now had to cancel his order as surprisingly he doesn’t know to use a computer!

"I agree with modernisation, but companies need to remember some people don’t have the necessary skills required but shouldn’t be punished for that, surely it’s not that hard to run both systems for people who need to order in the “old” manner?".

Jan Smith added: "How to lose a lot of customers in one fell swoop! This is a lifeline for the elderly who can't get to the shops, have no computer and no one to do it for them. Awful idea!"

Katie Cunningham also took to Facebook to say: "Ridiculous idea cutting off a vital service for so many. Shame on them."

Jean Warner got in touch with the NWN to say: “I have had my milk delivered to various home addresses, for the past 30 years, first with Dairy Crest and then with Milk and More.

"I chose to have my milk delivered for several reasons: (1) eco-friendly returnable glass bottles (2) milk on the doorstep three times a week and (3) knowing that my friendly milkmen (and women) have a job they love. I can very easily buy my milk at the supermarket - in fact I live next door to Waitrose where milk is much cheaper!

"I did have an online account some while ago, but their website was difficult to navigate and they required payment in advance which I was not happy with. I therefore went back to a standard set delivery schedule and payment by direct debit.

"I do feel that, unfortunately, as with so many things nowadays, we are being coerced into doing things which benefit the supplier rather than the customer and those without technology are missing out. I am perfectly happy with buying online but refuse to be bullied into something I neither need nor want. I have therefore voted with my feet and will get my milk from the supermarket."

However, some defended the company's decision to go online.

Emma Lawes VR posted: "It's not upsetting. I have an online account and have for years. It's so simple and there's an app for your phone."

To find out more about the changes, and how to sign up for an online account, visit https://www.milkandmore.co.uk/movingonline

Alternatively, you can call Milk and More's specialist team on 0300 456 2000 (7am - 4:30pm Monday to Saturday or 7am - 12pm on bank holiday weekends).