Yes, shops in the UK can refuse £50 notes. While they are legal tender, businesses have no legal obligation to accept them and can set their own policies, often citing high fraud risk or lack of change. A shop's display of goods is an "offer to treat," allowing them to refuse any payment method.
Many self-service checkouts do not accept £50 notes due to concerns about counterfeiting and the need for high-value change. However, some newer machines, especially in supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Asda, do accept them, particularly if they have updated banknote validators for polymer notes.
While cash is considered a legal tender, businesses have no legal obligation to accept it and have the right to set their own payment policies. This means that a brick-and-mortar store can refuse cash, just as they can reject other forms of payment, such as certain credit card payments or cheques.
The Bank of England has given a September 30 deadline whereby paper £20 and £50 notes will no longer be accepted. It means shoppers using paper notes to pay for items in stores such as Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and M&S will have their payment rejected. The paper notes in current circulation were first issued in 2007.
The Government has issued an update following Wetherspoon's announcement of changes to its cash payment policies. The pub chain decided in November 2024 to cease accepting Scottish £20 and £50 notes due to concerns over "criminal gangs" circulating counterfeit currency.
Yes. You can exchange up to £300 of paper banknotes in any £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations of the last series at participating branches within any two-year period. Our system will let you know if you've reached the £300 limit.
It is not illegal to keep cash at home in the UK, but it should be stored securely to mitigate risks. The amount of cash to have on hand varies, but a small amount for emergencies is recommended while keeping most in a secure bank account.
The UK is rapidly moving towards being a low-cash, but not fully cashless, society, with digital payments dominating, yet cash remains crucial for millions, especially vulnerable groups, leading to government efforts to protect access via legislation, banking hubs, and ATMs, even as some businesses go card-only and digital ID plans emerge. While cash use has plummeted (less than 10% of payments in 2024/25), the Bank of England and officials stress that a completely cashless system isn't feasible or desirable yet, focusing on maintaining choice and access for everyone, including the elderly and low-income individuals.
Tesco caused uproar among shoppers this week when it confirmed it would ban cash payments at some of its cafes. The card-only policy will be rolled out to 40 in-store eateries. The supermarket has reportedly taken the decision after a new electronic ordering system helped to significantly cut down queues.
Yes, £50 notes are still in circulation, but the older paper version was withdrawn as legal tender in September 2022, replaced by the new polymer note featuring King Charles III and Alan Turing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of England_%C2%A350_note, which is the standard circulating note now. You can still deposit or exchange old paper £50s at banks or the Post Office, and the Bank of England will always exchange them.
Is it legal to refuse cash? In the UK it is not illegal for businesses to refuse cash as payment and, in the same breath, it's not illegal for them to refuse card payments, either. The only situation where this isn't the case is when a business is accepting payment for a debt.
Tesco definitely accepts them and even the latest self service tills do. Poundland don't, but most other bigger shops do. Be prepared to have it carefully scrutinised though. One time Lidl wouldn't accept them when I was in there.
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As of September 30, 2022, the use of older £20 and £50 paper notes has officially come to an end, marking a significant transition in the UK's currency landscape. With the introduction of more secure polymer notes, the Bank of England has phased out these older notes, making them no longer valid for shop payments.
Opt for larger shops like supermarkets and bigger chain shops, small shops are unlikely to accept them. You can also take it to the post office and ask them to exchange it for smaller notes. England and Scotland share the same currency.
We accept cash, Visa Debit / Visa Electron, Mastercard, Solo / Maestro, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Contactless works up to £100 with your card — and there's no limit for Apple or Google Pay. We don't accept cheques, £50 notes, manufacturer discount coupons (we're not a participating retailer right now.
