Ben Hourahaine, a future trends analyst, claims that, by 2259, cash will be obsolete because technology, known as RFID, will means that as soon as a customer walks in to a pub, a reader above the door will scan their microchip, automatically note their order and deduct a payment. High-tech beer pumps will be able to brew the perfect pint on the spot, tailored for each individual drinkers' tastes, while magnetic levitation trays will deliver drinks straight to wherever customers are sitting. Buying another round will be as simple as placing an order on the touch-sensitive tables dotted around the pub, while friends will be able to enjoy a drink with pals in different towns or other countries, thanks to hologram technology that will make it feel as though the other person is in the room. Even the glass customers drink from will boast cutting-edge technology, he suggests, keeping the drink at the perfect temperature, as well as a running tally of the number of units consumed. Mr Hourahine said: "The average British pub is steeped in history, and despite significant developments in bar technology over the past 250 years, the majority of pubs have managed to retain their original character and popularity amongst local communities. "Exciting technological innovations will only enhance the customer's experience, actively engaging them and inspiring them." According to the most recent figures from the British Beer and Pub Association, around 39 pubs are closing each week in the UK as a result of the economic downturn and increased competition from supermarkets.
( www.telegraph.co.uk )
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