Shortage of lorry drivers raises spectre of empty shelves Chronic driver shortages are resulting in food not getting through to small businesses and supermarkets, while demand is rising 4 July 2021 • 5:00am David Fraser, a cafe owner in central Glasgow, usually places an order for cheese, meat, milk and cakes with his supplier on Thursday to be delivered on Monday. Last month, however, his routine was derailed. “There was nothing on the webpage, no delivery available,” says the 45-year-old. “I kept hitting refresh during the day, and eventually something popped up. The calendar modified itself to August 15.” Fraser was forced to get in touch with other wholesalers to help him plug the produce gap overnight.