The Springwise new business idea newsletter reports a cheery innovation. Finally, a good reason to accept text messages on your phone.

Link: Springwise Issue 23, June/July 2005.

Corney & Barrow, one of London’s Financial District’s largest bar operators, makes it possible for people to buy their friends a drink online (from beer to Jesus Juice to bubbles). Users of the Buy Me a Beer service go to Corney & Barrow’s website, select a drink (by glass or bottle), pay by credit card, after which a text message (SMS) with a code is sent to their friend. The happy recipient then presents his or her phone with their virtual voucher on it to any Corney & Barrow bar to redeem their free drink. Not spotted outside the UK yet, and it should work for all kinds of services, from gifts to dinners. As the entire world has a cell phone these days, with even Americans taking to texting… Cheers! (Spotted by Murray Neilson, Springspotter Network.)