Prize-winning carafe goes to market

The winner of the London on Tap carafe design competition is set to go into mass production in late April.

An initial run of 10 000 Top Tap carafes by designer Neil Barron will be manufactured in time for the summer rush.

Barron, of Gusto Design, was crowned winner of the competition in December last year for his prototype design, inspired by the stylised form of a tap handle (DW, 4 December 2008).

London on Tap organiser Thames Water is aiming the carafe at the restaurant market to encourage diners to forsake bottled water. According to the National Consumer Council, one in five consumers is too embarrassed to request tap water in restaurants.

Thames Water is planning an official launch event for the carafe in London in April. Top Tap will be available for caterers to pre-order from 1 April.