The retailer said the cash will be distributed through its Waitrose grocery stores for schemes such as local delivery services to support the self-isolating, the vulnerable, older people and those looking after them, as well as for delivering boxes of staples to local care homes. It will donate products for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours. 

The initiative is one of a range of measures the retailer is taking in response to the crisis.

From today, Waitrose will limit purchases of all grocery items to three per customer and a maximum of two packets of toilet paper.