London bar installs world's first self-serving beer pump with contactless payment

Jamie Bullen16 December 2016

Drinkers at a London bar could soon sidestep the queues using the world's first self-serving beer pump with a contactless payment system.

Banking giant Barclaycard has unveiled its Pay@Pump prototype in Henry's Cafe Bar which is designed to speed up service during the busiest times of the year.

The device, which accepts tap-and-go payments, enables revellers to select their favourite tipple, pay for it and then place a glass on it to trigger an automatic pouring.

The entire process is said to take just 60 seconds.

In demand: The device is designed to speed up demand during the busiest times of the year such as Christmas
PA

Barclaycard said it had decided to take action against pub queues after its researchers found nearly a quarter of people have considered abandoning a drinks order because of high demand at the bar.

The firm's Tami Hargreaves said: "I'm sure everyone has been stuck behind the person who orders the most complicated cocktail on the menu or a round of 10 drinks for their group of friends.

No cash: Drinkers receive their favourite tipple after paying using a contactless card
PA

"When people told us that waiting time was one of their biggest annoyances, we wanted to help solve a common problem with a simple solution.

"Pay @ Pump could easily be the answer by putting the festive cheer back into buying beer - a win-win for both bars and bar-goers."

Barclaycard said the desire for more contactless spending was on the increase with 28 per cent of people surveyed stating they would like to see it introduced in all bars and pubs.

According to the firm's Contactless Spending Index, the number of contactless payments has increased by 112% in the past year.

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