A decision by Greene King to trial card-only payments in some of its pubs in Notts has led to a boycott by some customers who say they will take their business elsewhere. The pub group has chosen to ditch cash in certain venues, saying the majority of payments are already made by card.
The Travellers Rest, in Mapperley Plains, is one of the pubs involved in the trial, but some punters aren't happy. One of them, Ross Da'Bell, of Arnold, said: "We are an older couple of regulars that choose to pay cash and now, if we want to go, we have no choice. I personally think that is a mistake on their part. I should have the choice. We eat out a lot and no where else we go does this. It is likely we will go elsewhere in future. It's such a shame."
The pub is part of the Chef & Brewer group, which is part of Greene King. Mr Da'Ball, a 65-year-old auditor in the licensed trade, urged bosses to have a rethink, adding: "I know the younger generation does card a lot, but my son-in-law, when he goes out he daren't look in his bank the next day as he's scared what he might have spent. I understand that a lot pay on card, I just want the choice."
Keep up to date with all the latest food and drink news by signing up to our newsletter here
After posting his opinion on the Arnold Community Group's Facebook page, many locals agreed with him. One woman said: "I will not be going there again. I am happy to pay by card, however, excluding people who prefer to pay by cash is discriminatory. Unfortunately we are heading for a cashless society."
A man posted: "Sick of hearing 'this is the future'. Cash is legal tender. Won't be going there anymore. Look how many jobs card-only tills have robbed us of. The main point here is we should have the choice." A woman, who recently went to the Travellers Rest for dinner with a friend, ended up leaving. She said: "We were told they were cashless on arrival. We didn’t stay, they should have mentioned it at the time of booking. I boycott all places that refuse cash payments."
Another woman said: "The group that own the Travellers should be ashamed. People should have a choice how they pay."
Others were more accepting. One said: "Unfortunately things change and it's something that people need to get used to.. If my 90-year-old mother-in-law can use cashless and learn to pay on her phone then others should be able to."
Another posted: "As fewer transactions are done using cash the cost of dealing with that cash increases. Anyone who has tried to bank cash for a business or organisation will understand that it really is not economic to continue doing cash sales for a diminishing number of people's convenience. It may be a sad situation for those who prefer cash but it is the future."
One man said: "Just pay with card and laugh at their card fees they’ll be paying. Amex fees are highest. So instead of getting all the money in cash, let them take cards only."
Other Chef & Brewer pubs taking part in the trial include Hutt in Ravenshead, the Ferry Inn in Wilford and the Wheatsheaf Inn in Burton Joyce.
A spokesperson for Greene King said: “We’re undertaking a trial in a small number of our pubs where card payments make up more than 90% of all transactions. This is a trial and we have not made a business decision to permanently go cashless in this small number of pubs, or any other of our pubs, at this stage.”
READ NEXT:
Nottingham pensioner 'left with nothing' after paying 'disgusting' energy bill
Nottingham academy fire could have had 'devastating effects'
Nottingham City centre cashpoint 'torn from wall' in broad daylight
Severn Trent Water planning huge new 10 mile-long pipe under Nottingham
Shock after one of Nottingham's oldest restaurants loved by celebrities is boarded up
