Steve Speakman of Manchester Civic Society writes about his campaign to re-introduce cash to local streets.
France, Spain, the Netherlands and others have now legislated in various ways to protect the use of physical cash.
In France it is illegal for many principal institutions to turn away purchase with physical cash.
Here in the UK governments like the last one and now this one are stirring on the matter with banking hubs being set up (not enough) and a recent all party Treasury committee in parliament taking evidence from various bodies on the difficulty and social restriction that cashless practice for trade would bring and indeed now so frequently does bring.
Ron Delnavo of the National ‘Payment Choice Alliance’ gave extensive evidence to the committee in parliament and is pushing hard for legislation.
Here in Greater Manchester I have given time and energy to this campaign and have had a considerable number of institutions, pubs and hospitals return to cash acceptance. Twice I have been interviewed on TV and several times on the radio and I am hoping to sit down with Andy Burnham the Mayor and recruit his help in this sphere. He recently insisted that buses keep cash usage, so seems to be sympathetic to the cause.
Why you may ask is this the remit of Civic Societies?
It is very much our remit to be concerned about access to the civic landscape including heritage. Museums, galleries, theatres, railway stations, restaurants and hospitals are for everyone. Many of these are founded by the public, and others are charities.
In my view all these civic amenities should be wholly accessible to all members of the public. It is imperative in regard to access that cash is retained.
Elderley people often have no digital means to pay. Those with sight impairment cannot always access digital means to pay. People with learning disabilities often need access to cash. People who wish to monitor spending can rely on cash to keep a close eye on debts. Many small business prefer cash to avoid card charges which can be punitively high.
Should cash be forced out, charges could rise inexorably. Debt could grow. Digital control could also become a danger as people move about the civic landscape being tracked, monitored and traced – the end of privacy!
I am very concerned about theatres and am asking Ambassador theatres to review their policy which precludes cash payers, as does also the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Bank access, security and deposit facilities are facets of this issue.
Whether it is Tesco (recently I persuaded their 40 cashless cafes to reinstate cash) or galleries or any aspect of the civic landscape, I usually find the staff are enthusiastic to see cash return because they hate turning people away, and their tips quadruple!
The old fashioned Covid excuse is not a runner and never was, as the World Health Organisation never said cash was a significant carrier of disease at all. The Treasury committee is now monitoring events and significant numbers of MPs are keen to legislate to ensure the national currency has a secure future.
Digital failure in Spain and Portugal and recently in shops at home means ‘cash is king’, and an old friend on whom we can rely.
Our campaign will continue here at Manchester Civic Society. Why not join us?