by Will Payne

A supermarket is adopting a novel way to encourage shoppers into its store – a free taxi ride home.

Cranbrook’s Co-op will be one of the first nationwide to trial the scheme, which will replace its current home delivery service.

Under the proposals, customers will still have to make their own way to the High Street store, but those who spend a minimum £25 and live within a five-mile radius will be offered a cab home without having to pay an extra penny.

Shoppers living up to 10 miles away, such as those in Headcorn and Staplehurst, can still benefit with a £3 fee to hitch a lift when the scheme is introduced on Monday, September 10.

Bosses say the change is being made in a bid to help draw more business to the town and surrounding area, while also making shopping easier especially for parents with young children, the elderly and disabled customers, who may struggle to get to and from the store.

One local customer said: “I can see how it will be useful to the elderly, and others who cannot drive.”

The service will be run by a third-party taxi company, who will be in charge of making sure cabs are prompt and running efficiently.

The Co-op has run similar services before, employing taxi companies to deliver groceries to customers, which was trialled in Manchester.