Wetherspoon has implemented a policy prohibiting the use of Scottish £20 and £50 notes in its English pubs, resulting in some customers being denied service. One elderly patron, Craig Neil, 72, from Troon, Ayrshire, recounted an incident where he tried to pay with a £20 note at two pubs in Newcastle, the Mile Castle and Keel Row bar, only to be told that Scottish currency was not accepted.
According to Wetherspoon, the decision to ban Scottish notes was prompted by a warning from the Bank of England regarding the circulation of counterfeit Scottish money by criminal organizations. The ban, which was put in place last November, does not extend to Scotland or specific areas with strong ties to Scotland.
A Wetherspoon spokesperson explained that the Bank of England had alerted them to a rise in fake Scottish £20 notes, advising caution in accepting them. This information, coupled with an increase in the receipt of counterfeit notes by pubs, led to the decision to reject Scottish £20 notes. The same policy applies to Scottish £50 notes for the same reasons, although the company continues to review the situation.
In a separate incident, a Wetherspoon customer, Adam Gale, successfully advocated for the return of tuna jacket potato to the menu at his local pub after it was removed. Tim Martin, the Wetherspoon founder, responded to Gale’s letter requesting the return of the tuna filling, expressing his willingness to reinstate it promptly.
The company’s decision to refuse Scottish notes in certain locations outside of Scotland was made in response to concerns over fraudulent activities and counterfeit currency circulation.
