Cash is still king for some. But no one told these high street chains...

Major high street chains and restaurants, including Gail’s bakery, Itsu and Zizzi, are being challenged by campaigners over their refusal to accept cash after a jump in consumers turning to notes and coins for daily spending.

- Jon Ungoed-Thomas

Following a steady decline in cash payments over the last decade, consumer groups say the cost of living crisis has seen more people turning to the traditional payment method for day-to-day spending. In 2023, 1.5 million adults in the UK were using cash for daily spending, a four-year high.

Ron Delnevo, chair of the Payment Choice Alliance, which campaigns for the long-term future of cash services, said it was “completely unacceptable” that some stores were rejecting cash. The alliance wants new laws similar to those in some other countries requiring retailers to accept cash.

“The vast majority of the public want cash to be honoured as a payment,” he said. “These businesses are letting down the public.” Delnevo said a survey conducted by YouGov in June 2023 on behalf of the alliance revealed that 71% of British adults would support a legal requirement for businesses to accept cash.

Gail’s, which has more than 150 stores, says going cashless has “environmental benefits” in eliminating the need for cash collection and delivery. Itsu rolled out cashless payments after a successful trial, and Zizzi says it only accepts card and contactless payments for the “smoothest and fastest” payment experience.

The coffee and bakery chain Pret a Manger has piloted cashless outlets but still accepts cash in most of its 490 shops in the UK. It found the cashless service was faster but decided against a wider roll-out in favour of customer choice.