British Bottled Water

The Bottled Water market in the U.K. was first established several centuries ago when the beneficial properties of Mineral and Spring Water was recognised and it was hoped that people could benefit from these properties without visiting the particular Spring or Well. Historically, this Mineral Water market gradually developed but during the mid 19th century the artificial Mineral Water market became a commercial viability for many entrepreneurs.

Whilst in the early days Mineral Waters were drunk for their medicinal values, soft drinks of course are drunk primarily for their ability to refresh and be enjoyed. Bottled Mineral Water without any additions steadily became unfashionable and the market by the 1960's had declined to a non existent level in the U.K.. The move during the 1960's and 1970's towards processed foods has in more recent years been countered by a developing wish by the public at large to purchase more natural products. The first brands to capitalise on this growing interest in the U.K. were the French Mineral Waters which had always had very substantial markets in their home territories; Perrier and Evian.

There are about 150 British Bottled Water brands: