A FOOD delivery service has been criticised for claiming to have ‘launched’ in Basingstoke.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Deliveroo announced that 50 jobs will be created after it launched in the town, delivering restaurant meals on-demand to people’s home.

But Gazette readers pointed out that the service does not deliver to many areas in the town, including Rooksdown, Beggarwood and Kempshott, and some areas receive a limited service with orders available from just a few restaurants.

Several Gazette readers said that when they tried entering their postcode on the Deliveroo website, a message popped up to say it does not operate in Basingstoke, whereas others received notification to say the service does not yet cover the area in which they live.

After contacting the company for clarification, it has now confirmed that it is operating in a limited area of the town, but with plans to expand to other areas in the future.

Ares it does cover include Cranbourne, South View, Oakridge and Houndmills.

The company said that more than 50 jobs will be created during its first year of operation in the town, with the majority of these being Deliveroo riders, who aim to deliver food, cooked fresh to order, to a customer’s door within 32 minutes.

More than 15 restaurants have signed up so far, including The Tea Bar, at the Top of The Town, The Spicy Tadka, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Las Iguanas and Pizza Express, all in Festival Place.

Customers can schedule orders via the Deliveroo app up to one day in advance or receive food as soon as possible between noon and 11pm for a £2.50 delivery fee.