Some of Britain’s best-loved artistic institutions, including the Royal Albert Hall, are still refusing to accept cash to “improve safety and hygiene” despite all Covid restrictions now being lifted.
High-profile cultural organisations have blocked customers from paying with physical money since the pandemic began. However critics including charity Age UK said the ban was unfair and disproportionately affected elderly customers.
The Royal Opera House, the National Theatre and the Southbank Centre have also all remained cashless.
Each of these organisations promotes “inclusion” policies on their websites but refuses to accept coins and notes, the preferred method of payment for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.
Age UK branded their decision to ban physical currency as “extremely disappointing”. People with health conditions, disabilities and dexterity issues find paying in cash much easier than with a bank card or a phone, the charity said.
Four million people who are reliant on cash are over 65 years old, according to a recent survey by the Royal Society of Arts. Millions more simply prefer to use cash over cards, including many young people who prefer notes and coins for budgeting reasons.
Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams 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, so as not to exclude them.”
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 Royal Albert Hall spokesman 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, and we’re pleased to not have had any complaints about this policy since reopening last summer.”
The Southbank Centre, which claims on its website that “creating a truly inclusive culture” was “fundamental to [its] vision and values” does not accept cash across its site. A spokesman said being cashless enabled it to reduce its costs through lower bank charges and operational efficiencies, but added it was currently reviewing this 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 audiences prefer this method of payment, “with only a minimal number of complaints to the contrary.”
A spokesman said: “We continue to do all we can to support the needs of our audiences, ensuring that every visit to the Royal Opera House is as easy and enjoyable as possible.”
A National Theatre spokesman said: “The National Theatre is for everyone, our building is free and we welcome visitors with or without a theatre ticket.
“Some of our visitor guidelines were affected by the changes necessitated by Covid, including stopping accepting cash due to safety precautions. We are currently in the process of reviewing this to ensure we continue to strike the right balance between resource and audience safety and inclusion.”
