CASH STRAPPED

Elderly struggle as notes and coins fall out of use

THE elderly and vulnerable are struggling to buy basics as local shops go cashless.

Charities and consumer bodies fear millions could be left behind as the death of cash draws nearer.

Age UK says many older people are “terrified” of using a contactless card.

Caroline Abrahams, its director, said: “Many older people face challenges when it comes to managing their money and depend on cash.”

Consumer champion Which? last month found one in 10 people had been refused by shops when trying to pay with cash.

It says cash must be protected for the millions of people who rely on it.

The Government has urged business owners to minimise contact by using contactless payments, but it is ultimately up to retailers which payment types they take.

Birds Bakery in Bulwell, Notts, was criticised for refusing to sell bread to a 94-year-old woman with no cards because it didn’t want “dirty” cash.

It sacked a worker at another branch after she helped older customers by accepting their cash, then paying on her card.

Megan Metcalfe, 60, said: “There’s no way I could let an elderly man or woman walk away, telling them they can’t buy it because they don’t have a card.”

Lesley Bird, CEO, said: “Our focus is to keep our frontline staff safe as well as our customers.”

A petition was launched to get Birds to accept cash again and reinstate Megan.

ATM operator Link says £1.5billion a week is now being withdrawn, up from £1billion a week in April.

The Association of Convenience Stores says transactions are currently 50% cash and 50% card and is not recommending that shops reject cash.

1 Primark 2 Paula Wilcox 3 Nando’s 4 Commemorative pistols 5 Torquay 6 Emu 7 Stuart Broad 8 Grant Shapps 9 HMS Victory 10 Newcastle United

QUIDS IN Cash is on way out