Firm wins design award

A DESIGN for a hand-held alcoholic drinks dispenser has won an Uckfield company a government award for innovation.

Catering equipment manufacturers Mitchell and Cooper this week received the Smart Award from the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) for their portable optic style device.

The Framfield Road business also received a 45,000 development grant from the government s small business service to help with future pioneering projects.

John Edwards of Mitchell and Cooper said the dispenser would help enhance customer service in bars and restaurants. Instead of having bottles of spirits fixed to the wall, staff could dispense drinks at the bar or at the table.

The device works by attaching itself to the mouth of the bottle and providing an accurate measurement when the bottle is tilted to around 45 degrees.

Mr Edwards added: The grant is very helpful. We re not a big company so this type of award will enable us to spend more time on research and development.

The company has filed a patent for the dispenser and is currently waiting on government weights and measures approval.