Wetherspoon has implemented a policy of not accepting Scottish £20 and £50 notes in its English pubs, leading to instances where customers were denied service. One such incident involved a pensioner, Craig Neil, 72, from Troon, Ayrshire, who was left embarrassed after trying to pay with Scottish money at two pubs in Newcastle – the Mile Castle pub and the nearby Keel Row bar.
According to a report in The Scottish Sun, Neil recounted, “They poured a pint of Carling and I handed over a £20 note. They told me they don’t accept Scottish money. 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.”
Wetherspoon explained that this decision was made in response to a warning from the Bank of England about the proliferation of counterfeit Scottish notes by criminal groups. The ban was put into effect in November last year, although it does not apply in Scotland and certain areas with strong ties to Scotland.
A Wetherspoon spokesperson clarified, “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. Scottish £50 notes are not accepted for the same reason. We will continue to keep the decision under review.”
In a separate incident, a customer’s complaint to Wetherspoon’s boss, Tim Martin, resulted in the reinstatement of a menu item. Adam Gale expressed disappointment when his local pub in Guildford removed tuna jacket potato from the menu, while other toppings like beans and cheese remained available. In response, Martin said, “No sooner is my back turned. Seriously, though, as we speak, tuna has been reinstated. Your wish is my command, as they say.”