Having read the recent postings regarding the drinks issue.

Yes, I have to agree that if the pubs were not open then the events could not occur.

However, the main reason I, whenever I am the driver, ask for a glass of tap water is twofold.

1) I happen to prefer it to the so called bottled stuff, which usually has additives I am not prepared to try.

2) Almost all the non-alcoholic stuff contains lots of sugar and loads of yet more additives.

I also prefer tap water in restaurants and cafes and, yes, I do drink tap water at home, but not exclusively. I do not drink tea, am happy with some instant coffees and certainly am not a fan of any of the designer coffees. Costa I found particularly abhorrent.

Just my personal taste of course and only partially related to (exorbitant) prices.

I have for many years followed the dictate of eating in restaurants and drinking in pubs and, if possible, not mixing the two. Try talking to most pub managers, tenants, landlords etc about wine if you want to waste some time!