29 September 2023 , 08:43
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A popular café has divided opinion with its decision to stop letting people pay by card.
The new "cardless" policy at Secrets @ Number 7, which is in Bebington, Merseyside, has been praised by some customers for being inclusive. Others have argued digital currency is the only way forward, even if some don't like it.
But the independent eatery explained the policy will remain and it was largely chosen to help elderly customers, who sometimes don't use cards altogether. Co-director Paula Duignan said: "Time will tell, but it seems positive right now. Many of our customers are elderly and they pay with cash more anyway."
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, she added: "We also had problems with the card machine last week or the week before. People carried on paying cash and they seemed to prefer it. We're trying to help everyone.
"We do offer bank transfers if needed. It seems to be doing very well and people are happy. Even before we decided this there was a lot of talk about how everywhere is going card only. It is a little gamble, but we can't please everyone."
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Changes to banking and paying for items at shops - even before the pandemic - caused concern among the elderly communities. A consumer group warned, as early as 2018, low income households and older generations will be the hardest hit by bank and ATM closures, for example.
And Facebook users, including those who visit Secrets @ Number 7 regularly, argued these groups are already suffering from such changes. One guest at the café posted: "Me and my husband come in regularly and will continue to pay cash." Another posted: "Woohoo. Am I so glad about this. You deserve every penny instead of paying the charges." A further Facebook user stated: "Well done, that's how it should be for small businesses."
But some on social media, albeit a minority, disagreed with the move. One Facebook user said: "Digital currency is now the way forward." Another posted: "Cash is not the cost-free option for business that some make it out to be... There is a risk of theft too." A third said: "I refuse to pay cash, and that's if I can even find a cash machine."