Wetherspoon has implemented a policy to not accept Scottish £20 and £50 notes at its English pubs, leading to some customers being turned away. One patron, Craig Neil, 72, from Troon, Ayrshire, recounted feeling embarrassed when his Scottish £20 note was rejected at two Newcastle establishments – the Mile Castle pub and Keel Row bar.
According to The Scottish Sun, Neil expressed his surprise at the refusal, stating that he had never encountered such a situation in his 70 years of visiting Newcastle. Wetherspoon cited concerns raised by the Bank of England regarding the circulation of counterfeit Scottish notes by criminal groups as the reason behind the decision.
A spokesperson clarified that the ban, initiated in November last year, excludes Scotland and specific areas closely linked to Scotland. The company received guidance from the Bank of England in October about the prevalence of fake Scottish £20 notes in circulation, prompting the move to cease acceptance of these notes.
The decision also extends to Scottish £50 notes for the same security reasons. Wetherspoon assured that they would continuously review this decision. This development follows a recent incident where a customer, Adam Gale, prompted the return of tuna jacket potatoes to the menu after expressing disappointment over their removal at his local Wetherspoon pub.
CEO Tim Martin responded to Gale’s letter, confirming the reinstatement of tuna as an option. Martin humorously noted his personal preference change from tuna jacket potatoes to a chicken wrap and salad. The swift response pleased the customer, demonstrating Wetherspoon’s commitment to customer feedback and satisfaction.