Wetherspoon has implemented a policy prohibiting the use of Scottish £20 and £50 notes in its establishments across England, resulting in some customers experiencing service denial. One elderly customer, Craig Neil, from Troon, Ayrshire, recounted feeling embarrassed when his attempt to pay with a Scottish note was declined at two pubs in Newcastle.
According to Neil, he was handed a pint of Carling at the Mile Castle pub and offered a £20 note, only to be informed that Scottish currency was not accepted. Wetherspoon attributed this decision to a warning issued by the Bank of England regarding the circulation of counterfeit Scottish notes by criminal groups.
The ban, which was enforced in November of the previous year, excludes Scotland and specific locations with strong ties to Scotland. A Wetherspoon spokesperson clarified that the company’s stance on not accepting Scottish £20 and £50 notes was in response to the increasing prevalence of fake notes and the guidance received from the Bank of England.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoon’s chairman, Tim Martin, responded to a customer’s complaint by reintroducing a menu item that had been removed. Adam Gale, a loyal patron, expressed disappointment over the removal of tuna jacket potato from his local Wetherspoon in Guildford. Following a direct plea to Martin, the tuna filling was promptly reinstated, fulfilling the customer’s request.
