Do not force us to accept cash - shop owners

Jersey politicians are set to consider a proposal that aims to ensure the island does not become cashless to protect vulnerable groups. But some business owners argue being forced to accept cash would be a "backward step" because it costs more.

Deputy Montford Tadier said last week Jersey risked "sleepwalking" into becoming a cashless society as the use of digital transactions increased and his proposal aimed to protect groups such as older people, those on low income, disabled people and domestic or economic abuse victims who often relied on cash payments.

He said the proposal would ensure all businesses selling in-person goods and services must accept cash from January 2028, except where reasonable exemptions apply.

But cashless cafe owner Ella Locke said this would be a "backward step" as it was charged to take cash to the bank and counting money was not "very cost effective from a labour perspective".

"At the press of a button, at the end of the day, what was a half an hour task has gone down into a two-minute task," she said.

"It saves significantly on our labour and as a small business [that is] one of the big things you're trying to always do."

Locke said the government needed to view the proposal from a business perspective.

"If they were actually a business owner and were living and breathing what businesses have to do, they would know that that really isn't helping small businesses on the island," she said.

Kevin Hart, director for Liberty Bus, said only about 3% of bus fares were cash payments but the cost of processing it was a "huge" financial burden.

In 2024, Liberty Bus told scrutiny the cost of processing cash payments amounted to £65,000 per year.

Hart said the company were "mindful" some islanders wanted but observed the island had "definitely progressed into becoming more of a cashless society".

He said: "We keep the option open because it's part of our contract - we're operating on the contract on behalf of the Government of Jersey.

"As long as we have to take cash, we will - if I could switch off the cash tomorrow, would I? Potentially, yes, because there is a saving there for us."

Red House manager Shane Holloway said companies "get charged" when putting money into the bank was "unfair".

"If the government will help out with putting our own cash into the bank then I think that will be a fair way going forward," he said.

"Bigger businesses are easier taking cash, but smaller businesses struggle because obviously you get charged so you're losing money all the time."

Shiela Baudains, owner of Red Triangle in the market, said her business had always accepted cash payments.

"Business is bad at the moment, so we'll take anything, but a lot of people want to give us cash," she said.

She said cash also benefitted charities.

"They'll sometimes empty their pockets or their purses and put more money into the charity boxes," she said.

Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Kirsten Morel "individual businesses and consumers are free to make their own decisions on their preferred payment method" following a scrutiny review on the issue in March in 2024.

He also said for that reason, a government strategy on cash was "not necessary", though government "will support the continued circulation of cash for those businesses and individuals who wish to [use it]".

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.