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3,000 small firms back campaign for free tap water
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent15.04.08
More than 3,000 small firms across London today backed the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign.
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has pledged the support of all its members to get tap water offered in restaurants and bars across the capital.
The organisation joins hundreds of restaurants and major chains, including Starbucks, Costa Coffee and McDonald's.
Thames Water, Mayor Ken Livingstone and a host of London's finest chefs and restaurants, including Aldo Zilli and Tom Aikens, have also given us their backing.
Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "Offering tap water to customers is one way that London's vital restaurant trade can offer excellent value, while minimising environmental impact.
"This campaign will help restaurants develop the green credentials consumers increasingly look for and will help generate publicity for London as a city that seeks innovative solutions to environmental sustainability."
The backing comes as sales of bottled water are dropping amid a growing consumer-backlash. Independent retail analyst TNS reported a nine per cent fall of shop sales to £248 million in the year to last month. Restaurant and water cooler sales have also fallen.
The latest bar to sign up is Club Bar & Dining, a Soho venue whose regular customers include Nick Moran, Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud and Ray Winstone.
"We get people from all walks of life and are asked for tap water by many of our diners," said a spokesman.
"The environment is very important to us here and encouraging people to drink tap water is another way of helping to save it."
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Reader views (9)
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Good for John Weedon. Personally I have absolutely no qualms about ordering tap (the only time I drink bottled now is when dining out with my fussy friend!) and my requests are universally met with a courteous "certainly" and a smile.
- Blue Baby, London
Here is Finland most restaurants automatically bring you ice water (from tap)on the table as soon as you are seated. There is no stigma about it. This is great for the customer because you have more control how you spend your money. I personally tend to eat a more expensive meal if I know that I don't have to shell out half of my budget on drink. The restaurant still gets the same revenue.
- Anu, Helsinki, Finland
The King Canute Syndrome.
- Bernard Parke, Guildford
