An older couple were left fuming after they were turned away from a cinema for trying to pay in cash.
Richard and Carol Riley recently took a trip to a new £115million five-screen Curzon cinema complex in Canterbury, unaware of the company’s long-standing cashless policy.
But instead of enjoying a movie with some snacks and popcorn, the couple were left feeling jilted.
They tried to order food and drinks but were told by an employee that the cinema didn’t accept cash.
This was because Curzon - like a number of other businesses - went cashless during the pandemic.
The Riley’s said they were left outraged and feeling like the older generations were being left behind.
Part-time retail worker Carol, 64, said: “We sat down, picked up a menu and had our money ready. But the lad serving us simply said ‘we don’t take cash’.”
He complained that the business catered more to the local student population and offered them a discount, saying he was left “gobsmacked”.
Richard, 66, who used to work for Invicta Motors, added: “We were very disappointed at effectively being told they weren’t interested in us as customers.
“We had thought is was a nice development for all residents, but apparently not older people like us who prefer to use cash and know how much they are spending.”
Despite one unsuccessful attempt to pay in cash the couple then tried to return again to do so again. They were once again refused and told card-only was company policy.
Richard complained that he was a “tax-paying resident”.
A spokesman for Curzon said: “Firstly, our apologies to them that our position wasn’t made clear.
“We went cashless in all our venues in response to the pandemic. The decision was made to help keep staff and customers safe and it is not related to the profile of the cinema or the customers we are expecting to use the venue.
“We do take cash when there is no alternative, but we only hold a small amount at the venues, so it is not recommended that people arrive expecting to use it.”
Carol has moaned that Canterbury is catering too much to the large and growing student population instead of her own needs and that of other elderly people.
“We have been here for a long time but I feel residents are being pushed out,” she added.
