Tap Water or Soft Drink, Sir?

A recent survey (commissioned by a soft drink manufacture) has concluded that the pub industry is loosing £700m pounds worth of profit each year by serving free water rather than "up-selling" a thirsty customer with a soft drink.

It is of course the law of the land that free tap water must be available and supplied when requested, so not quite sure of the ethics (or legality) of the tactic. However, leaving such technicalities aside, they go on to assert (from the survey) that 45% of those surveyed would stay longer in the pub if the range of soft drinks improved.

So if the survey is correct and if the range needs to improve (and "honest", I am not on commission, or have any vested interest other than seeking to always support my mates), local producers are always seeking ways to keep people longer in pubs; you could perhaps try out Bensons Totally Fruity range.

Produced in the Cotswolds from a farming family, led by "Bean" Benson, here is an extract from their web-site which makes the product sound irresistible:
"We use the finest British apples, which are pressed on our farm using a simple, traditional process, which captures all of the juice naturally, needing no additives. The farm is on a beautiful old country estate owned by the National Trust, right in the heart of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire.

We never add water, sugar, additives or preservatives and we only use British apples sourced locally whenever available. We never ever use concentrates and we use the best natural ingredients which taste so good we never need to add anything else. We're proud to say this also makes them suitable for diabetics."

What is the Bensons Philosophy?

"Our philosophy to use only the finest seasonal British apples is at the core - no pun intended - of what we do. We believe that by using only British apples we are doing our bit to keep the orchards in the UK thriving especially as 60% of orchards have disappeared since the 1950s. Bensons is a bustling community of Benson believers - not just grandparents, parents and children, but friends, neighbours, locals, farmers, bookkeepers, shopkeepers, the postman, the butcher, the truck driver, the barista, the apple pickers, the pulp-eating pigs and not least of all, our loyal drinkers too. Everyone plays their part in keeping us going and growing. That's the beauty of families, there's always room for more at the table."

www.bensonstotallyfruity.co.uk

By the way, I have little doubt that the company, FREEDRINKS, who commissioned the survey, have great soft drinks as well!