Many bars, cafes and festivals have stopped taking cash, citing speed, security and lower handling costs. There's no general legal obligation in the UK for a business to accept cash, as legal tender has a narrow technical meaning that mostly applies to paying debts. But going card-only has downsides. Some people rely on cash, including older guests, those budgeting carefully, people without bank accounts and some disabled guests, so a cashless policy can exclude them.
Tips paid in cash also behave differently from card tips, which some staff prefer. Card processing fees, outages and dependence on a single payment provider are real risks: when the network goes down, a cashless venue can't trade. Many venues choose a middle way, encouraging card but still taking cash, or offering a top-up card for those without one. Whatever you decide, make it clear at the door before people order.
What we ask on the show
- Is a cashless venue excluding people?
- What happens when the card machine goes down?
- Do staff prefer cash tips?
- Will cash disappear from hospitality?