Fault! Tennis player, 80, forced out because she can’t pay cash
AVETERAN tennis players has had to give up her 40-year hobby – because sports centres no longer accept cash.
Juliet Casciano wanted to return to the courts after seven months of bed rest for a second hip replacement.
But when she turned up at Marke Wood Recreation Ground in Walmer, Kent, she found she needed to sign up online for courses – and had to pay by card. Juliet, 80, then tried nearby Tides leisure centre only to find she could not use cash there either.
She says her situation highlights the bigger issue of older people being frozen out of activities if they cannot use cash or if they struggle to get online.
Juliet said: “I have played for near on 40 years in Deal and now suddenly I cannot play any more. I need to fight for cash to be kept alive. Cash is our society, it is our way of life and was our way of life for years and years.
“Pensioners need special attention and there must be a way that we can keep cash going.” Juliet returned to the recreation ground she had used
before after seeing ads for its “rusty rackets” rehabilitation programme.
She said: “It was perfect, but the lady said it was all online and I needed an email address and to sign up via direct debit. I do not do any of those things – I am 80 years old.
“I have got hot cash in my pocket and I am longing to spend it. They
won’t take a cheque – I know it is oldfashioned but it is still good money – but it is not good enough.
“I get migraines when I go online and I find it so difficult.”
Juliet said that she prefers using cash as it helps with her weekly budgeting. She added: “I am not very rich and I love living within my means, and with cash I can do that.When my cash is gone, I know I cannot spend any more. [With bank cards] you have no idea what you have spent and I cannot afford to do it.”
Juliet has contacted her Tory MP Natalie Elphicke with her concerns.
Your Leisure, which runs Tides, said the site had stayed cashless after the pandemic as staff had seen improvements such as ending queues at peak times and advanced booking systems.
A spokesman added: “Our standard memberships have also required an email address and direct debit payments for some considerable time.
“Your Leisure monitors and periodically reviews all areas of its operation and factors in a wide range of feedback into its decision-making.”
He stressed: “We welcome all our customers to contact us directly to see where we can offer support on a oneto-one basis.”
Dover Council, which owns and runs Marke Wood Recreation Ground, was unavailable for comment.