Threshers in offer shocker

Thresher Group, which has stores across the county, fears its pre-Christmas profits could be hit after the supposedly-limited 40 per cent discount offer, which can be used against wine and champagne, was circulated by e-mail and on the internet.

The chain e-mailed the coupon to a limited number of its suppliers earlier this week.

But it quickly spread amongst the general public via e-mail, accompanied by messages such as "best yet" and "I know you all enjoy a drink".

The discount came into force yesterday and is valid until December 10 at branches of Threshers, Wine Rack, Bottoms Up, Haddows and The Local. Around 2,000 stores across the UK will be affected.

In Shropshire, staff at Threshers stores said they had customers coming in with the vouchers, but did not anticipate it causing any major problems.

Susan Menassa, from the store's Market Drayton branch, said she was aware of the coupons because her husband's secretary had received one. "It is a pretty big amount for an offer," she said.

A member of staff at the Shifnal store said the vouchers were bound to have some effect on takings, but would not have a huge impact.

"Obviously people have been coming in, and we have been honouring them as the company has told us to do so," she said. "We have had more than we normally would."

The offer applies to any wines and champagnes in those branches, up to a maximum spend of £500 per transaction.

Dirk Kind, Thresher Group's PR manager, said the chain had not ensured the coupons made clear the offer was intended for limited use.

"The initial e-mail was to our suppliers and we didn't say friends and family," he said. "It has just absolutely snowballed way beyond anything we anticipated.

"It has proved to be absolutely huge. We are waiting to see what happens, but we will honour the vouchers."

Meanwhile, the Threshers company website crashed - apparently under the strain of so many hits.

By Alys Cummings