Albert Hall strikes sour note in refusing cash
All Covid restrictions have gone, but top cultural organisations are only accepting card payments
THE Royal Albert Hall is refusing to accept cash to “improve safety and hygiene” in the wake of Covid, even though all pandemic restrictions have been lifted. Some of Britain’s most highprofile cultural organisations have accepted card or online payments only since the pandemic began.
Critics, including the charity Age UK, have said that the ban is unfair and disproportionately affects elderly customers.
The Royal Opera House, the National Theatre and the Southbank Centre have also all remained cashless.
Each of these venues promotes “inclusion” policies on their website but refuses to accept coins and notes, the preferred method of payment for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.
Age UK said their position was “extremely disappointing”.
People with health conditions, disabilities and dexterity issues find paying with cash much easier than with by card or phone, the charity added.
Four million people who are reliant on cash are over 65 years old, according to a survey by the Royal Society of Arts.
Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: “Not all older people are online or have a smartphone and others have health conditions or disabilities that make cash easier to use. We have noticed that the numbers of venues of all kinds posting ‘card only’ signs are creeping up. This is extremely disappointing and we would encourage every public-facing body to look at ways in which they can continue to cater for older people who use cash.”
Kevin Dowd, professor of finance and economics at Durham University, said: “Citing Covid safety concerns is hogwash. There is neither reason nor evidence to suggest that cash poses a more significant Covid safety issue than digital currency. These institutions’ cash policies are detrimental to the elderly.”
A spokesman for the Royal Albert Hall said it went cashless during the pandemic to “improve safety and hygiene, security, speed and consistency of service”, and did not plan to change its cashless policy.
“We try to accommodate alternative payment in the rare instances where customers are unable to use card or contactless,” the spokesman said. “The experience of our customers, particularly those with access needs, is our highest priority. We’re pleased to not have had any complaints.”
A spokesman for the Southbank Centre said being cashless enabled it to reduce costs through lower bank charges and operational efficiencies, but it was reviewing the policy.
The Royal Opera House said it was “meeting the needs of audiences more quickly and effectively without cash payment”, and that the majority of customers prefer it “with only a minimal number of complaints.”
A spokesman for the National Theatre said it was reviewing its no-cash policy “to ensure we continue to strike the right balance between resource and audience safety and inclusion”.
Pandemic and lockdown were a personal tragedy for millions, from which we were rescued by science – and though public policy must remain vigilant and flexible, we do have a vaccine strategy in place to help us live with Covid. Despite this, some powerful people remain stuck in the past.
Some 15 NHS trusts are still only allowing visits in exceptional circumstances. Meanwhile, households continue to have to book a slot before visiting rubbish tips. Those who need a new passport to travel abroad face long delays in processing applications. Tourists at airports or on planes might still find they have to wear masks (even though the legal requirement no longer applies). Visitors to museums may well have to book a time to enter. And social distancing continues in courts. Some jurors, spaced two metres apart, have discovered themselves sitting at picnic tables.
Swathes of public and private organisations don’t seem to want to let go, out of fear, malaise or convenience – and some in the health lobby demand the return of restrictions to reduce pressure on the NHS. By the logic of the perpetually terrified, we could ban drinking, driving and red meat to reduce the pressure on “our NHS” ad infinitum – and no doubt many in the elite would like to try, for having accrued the kind of power and relevance they enjoy, it must be as hard to quit as nicotine.
Against such pressures, the Government deserves credit for ending the restrictions relatively early and refusing to bring them back. It must stick to this approach, because Britain desperately needs to move on.