3,000 small firms back campaign for free tap water

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."