Craig Neil, 72, of Troon, Ayrshire, said he was refused service in Newcastle’s Mile Castle pub.
Wetherspoons bans some £20 and £50 notes across England pubs
Wetherspoons has BANNED some £20 and £50 notes across English pubs leaving punters fuming. The pub chain has ordered staff to stop accepting Scottish £20 and £50 notes.
Some customers in England say they are being refused service when trying to pay with currency. Craig Neil, 72, of Troon, Ayrshire, said he was refused service in Newcastle’s Mile Castle pub.
He told The Scottish Sun: “It seems they are not accepting them in any Wetherspoons in England. No explanation was given. They poured a pint of Carling and I handed over a £20 note. They told me they don’t accept Scottish money.
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“I’ve been going to Newcastle for 70 years and never in my life have I had my money rejected. The pint was in front of me and I’d had a couple of sips. Then they said they wouldn’t accept my cash.
“People round about will have been saying, ‘That guy’s barred from the pub.’ It was very embarrassing. The manager took the pint off me. I just got up and left. I was angry. I’d handed over legal tender.”
A spokesperson for Wetherspoons apologised for the impact the policy was having on customers.
They said: “We were notified by the Bank of England last October that a large number of fake Scottish £20 notes were being put into circulation by organised crime gangs.
“Advice was given as to how to identify them — but with a warning not to accept if in doubt.
“This warning, coupled with an increase in the receipt of fake notes by pubs, led to a decision in late November last year not to accept Scottish £20 notes.”
“This does not apply in Scotland and certain towns and cities with close links to Scotland. Scottish £50 notes are not accepted for the same reason.
“We will continue to keep the decision under review.”