Bicycle deliveries make comeback

Waitrose is trialling the use of bicycles for grocery delivery

A supermarket chain plans to turn the clock back by using bicycles to deliver groceries to its customers.

Waitrose is trialling the scheme in Cambridge to boost the number of deliveries to online customers without putting more vans on the road.

The bicycle and trailer can hold six trays of groceries and keep products frozen and chilled for up to two hours.

Groceries delivered by bicycle were a common sight in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

Waitrose retail director Tony Solomons said: "Waitrose is committed to saving energy and minimising its impact on the environment and we are always looking for new ways to achieve this.

"This will truly be a bespoke service for Waitrose customers and, if successful, we will look at rolling it out to other branches."

Cambridge was selected for the trial because of its ease for cyclists.

Waitrose already runs a scheme in the city loaning out cycle trailers to customers to encourage them to take their shopping home by bike.