Our Probe Reveals English Are Rejecting Scots Notes

Jan 6 2008 By Marion Scott

Our Probe Finds English Won't Take Scots Money

CHANCELLOR Alistair Darling was urged yesterday to force English shops to accept Scottish banknotes.

A Sunday Mail survey revealed how traders south of the border - including high street chains - refused to accept the £20 notes.

They are not legally bound to take the £2billion of Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank and Clydesdale Bank notes in circulation.

SNP MSP Alex Neil said: "This is intolerable. If Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling don't do something, it's time for Scottish businesses to refuse English notes."

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael complained to Bank of England governor Mervyn King but claims the boss brushed off his plea.

Carmichael said: "It's clear from his response we're seen as an irritant. The tone of his letter was dismissive."

Our team last week tried to spend a £20 note in London, Manchester, York, Birmingham, Coventry and Liverpool.

YORK

TOURIST-FRIENDLY York is used to Scots holidaymakers.

At the historic Black Swan pub, a barman said: "Of course - we'll take any money going."

But in nearby town Tadcaster, staff in two shops politely declined.

An assistant at Allen the Ironmonger's said: "We don't take Scottish £20 notes."

And Ye Olde Chocolate Box would accept nothing higher than a fiver.

COVENTRY

WHILE most high street stores in the Midlands city accepted Scottish notes, Barratts shoe shop refused.

A supervisor said: "We're not taking Scottish or Irish banknotes, only Bank of England.

"It's not typical of all Barratts stores. We've had to be cautious because we've had a lot of fakes.

"Until we get better measures to test for counterfeit notes this will continue to be the case.

"It is nothing personal against the Scots."

Barratts said no one was available to comment.

MANCHESTER

OUTLETS refusing the Scottish £20 note included a British Heart Foundation charity shop.

An assistant at the Ashton-under-Lyne shop said: "There's no way of checking if it is real."

But a charity spokeswoman said: "This has been a mistake. We accept all legitimate currency."

A market stall trader refused it. He said: "There are fakes about."

An assistant at Mr Spud took the note after checking with her boss.

A kiosk, the Star Inn and high street stores all accepted the notes.

LONDON

SCOTS face difficulties buying rail tickets from vending machines.

Passengers must pay by card or at kiosks. Liverpool Street station even has notices refusing Scots currency.

Southeastern Railways said: "Our vending machines aren't currently configured to accept these notes."

High street stores accepted the notes but smaller shops and traders outside the city centre refused, including the Silver Victory dress shop in Hackney. But Fugaccia Cafe Bar was happy to take our cash.

BIRMINGHAM

A WAITRESS in the city's Gusto Cafe did a double take when handed the Scottish note but she accepted the cash.

She said: "I've never seen a Scottish banknote before but all Sterling is welcome here."

High street names Primark, M&S, Sainsbury's, Costa Coffee and Next also accepted the notes with no problems.

LIVERPOOL

MOST high street shops accepted the notes but Martin the Newsagent refused as we tried to buy a bottle of juice and a chocolate bar.

The assistant said: "Our company policy is not to accept Scottish notes."

But a Martin the Newsagent's spokeswoman, who have 1300 stores, said: "That's not the case. Our policy is to accept Scottish notes."

The manager of Oddbins Wine Merchants said: "We take Scottish all the time." A Boots cashier didn't look twice at the note and at an O2 store it was checked before being put in the till.

And Sainsbury's manager Neil Shelbourne said: "We've never refused Scottish currency."

SUNDAY EMAIL

m.scott@sundaymail.co.uk