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

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.

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.