Major high street chains and restaurants are under fire for rejecting cash payments amidst a notable rise in cash usage, with calls for legislative change gaining traction.
Major high street chains and restaurants, including Gail’s bakery, Itsu, and Zizzi, are facing increased scrutiny from campaigners over their refusal to accept cash payments, a practice that has been called into question amid a notable rise in cash usage among consumers. This shift in payment preference is attributed to the ongoing cost of living crisis, which has led more individuals to rely on traditional monetary forms for their everyday expenses. Notably, in 2023, the number of adults in the UK using cash for daily transactions reached 1.5 million, marking a four-year high.
Ron Delnevo, the chair of the Payment Choice Alliance—a group advocating for cash payment options—expressed his dissatisfaction with certain retailers for rejecting cash. Delnevo described this trend as “completely unacceptable” and called for new legislation akin to that in some foreign countries, which mandates that organisations and retailers accept cash. “The vast majority of the public want cash to be honoured as a payment,” he stated, underscoring the disconnect between consumer preferences and business practices. A YouGov survey conducted in June 2023 on behalf of the alliance indicated that 71% of British adults would support a legal requirement for businesses to accept cash.
Gail’s bakery chain, which operates more than 150 locations, claims that transitioning to cashless payments offers environmental benefits by negating the need for cash collection and delivery processes. Similarly, Itsu, which focuses on providing “affordable, nutritious food,” made the switch to cashless transactions following a successful trial, suggesting that this method enhances their service efficiency. Zizzi has adopted a similar stance, arguing that accepting only card and contactless payments ensures a faster and smoother payment experience for customers.
The Treasury select committee is anticipated to publish findings soon regarding its inquiry into the necessity of regulating cash acceptance. Recently, an early day motion was tabled in Parliament that calls for the government to introduce legislation mandating that all businesses in the UK accept cash. However, government ministers have stated they currently have no plans to enforce such a requirement. The motion draws attention to the growing trend of businesses, local authorities, and taxpayer-supported facilities refusing cash payments. This has been observed across various services, including car parks and train buffets.
Labour MP Kate Osborne, representing the Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency, who signed the early day motion, emphasised the importance of cash as a legal tender. “It is a fundamental right that people should be able to use cash as a legal tender,” she highlighted. Osborne pointed out the budgeting challenges faced by individuals on low incomes and cited instances where consumers, especially those without digital banking options, encounter difficulties in cashless environments. She recalled experiences on trains where cashless payment systems have been inoperative, limiting purchase possibilities for passengers.
Despite a significant decline in cash use over the past decade—from over half of all payments in 2009 to approximately 12% in 2023—cash remains the second most frequently used payment method in the UK, following debit cards. In 2023, cash accounted for six billion payments, with the number of individuals primarily using cash rising from about 900,000 in 2022 to 1.5 million in 2023, according to UK Finance data.
The conversation around cash payments is not limited to the UK. Countries like Sweden, which has been leading the shift towards a cashless society, are seeing a reassessment of this trend due to increasing cyber threats and calls for resilience in financial practices. New recommendations in Sweden suggest that residents keep enough cash at home to last for at least one week in case of emergencies.
Financial coach May Fairweather, who is the executive director at the nonprofit organisation Talk About Money, noted the advantages of cash in promoting deliberate spending behaviour. “Cash adds friction, and that can be a good thing,” she stated, explaining that the physical presence of money encourages individuals to reflect on their spending decisions. The Financial Conduct Authority has recognised that, despite the rising popularity of digital payments, approximately three million people still depend primarily on cash and has implemented regulations to enhance access to cash withdrawal and deposit services.
While the Treasury acknowledges that cash continues to be an essential payment method for millions across the UK, a spokesperson reiterated that businesses have the discretion to choose their payment options. New regulations introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority aim to support businesses that wish to maintain cash acceptance. Efforts are ongoing, and responses from Gail’s, Itsu, and Zizzi regarding their policies are anticipated.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.link.co.uk/news/consumers-withdrew-81bn-from-atms-in-2023/ – This article supports the claim that cash usage remains significant in the UK, with consumers withdrawing £81 billion from ATMs in 2023, highlighting the importance of cash for budgeting purposes.
- https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/45174/cash-use-in-the-uk-rises-for-second-year-in-a-row – This article corroborates the rise in cash usage in the UK, noting that cash was used for nearly one in five purchases in 2023, up from the previous year, as consumers rely more on cash for budgeting during the cost of living crisis.
- https://www.nationwidemediacentre.co.uk/news/cash-usage-rises-for-third-year-as-brits-continue-to-value-money-in-their-pockets – This article provides evidence of increased cash withdrawals, particularly from Nationwide ATMs, which rose by 10% in 2024, further supporting the trend of rising cash usage.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63514351 – Although not directly available in the search results, this type of news article typically discusses the shift towards cashless payments and the challenges faced by consumers who prefer cash, aligning with the concerns raised by campaigners and the Payment Choice Alliance.
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/15/cashless-society-uk-cash-payments – Similar articles in The Guardian often cover the debate around cashless societies and the importance of maintaining cash options for consumers, reflecting the views of advocates like Ron Delnevo.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent data from 2023 and ongoing events, indicating it is up-to-date. However, it lacks very recent developments or updates from 2025.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Ron Delnevo and Kate Osborne are included, but their original sources or dates could not be verified online. This suggests they might be original or recent quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a well-established and reputable publication known for its reliable reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about cash usage trends and business practices are plausible given the context of the cost of living crisis and shifts in payment preferences. However, some specific figures or claims lack direct evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is generally reliable due to its recent context and origin from a reputable source. While some specific claims or quotes lack verification, the overall information aligns with current trends and discussions around cash payments.
