Half of Britons say they have had problems paying with cash in the last year, according to new research which Money Mail can reveal.
Analysis of figures from the Link ATM network shows a 22 percent increase from 2023 in locations that did not accept or discouraged the use of cash in 2024.
The survey of 2,000 adults found that car parks top the list, with 21 per cent of respondents highlighting them as the least cash-friendly places.
This was followed by cafes and restaurants (20 per cent) and public transport and pubs (both 10 per cent).
More than half of respondents (59 percent) say it caused them discomfort, up from 48 percent last year.
Cash usage has declined over the past decade as people increasingly use mobile and contactless payments.
Denied: Analysis of figures from the Link ATM network shows an increase of 22% compared to 2023 in locations that did not accept or discouraged the use of cash in 2024
There are currently no regulations requiring businesses to accept cash.
Last month, the Treasury Select Committee opened an inquiry calling for evidence to determine whether new rules are needed to make accepting cash mandatory across Britain.
He said cash remains a “vital resource for many” and can be a “lifeline for groups such as those with long-term poor health or people at risk of financial abuse”.
Contactless payments remain the most popular payment option, with 43 percent of adults using them regularly, followed by 22 percent who prefer mobile payments.
Graham Mott, chief strategy officer at Link, says: ‘Forcing the acceptance of cash in other countries has not always been successful and many businesses have already abandoned cash as demand has fallen.
“However, there is still a huge reliance on cash along with the growing risk of people becoming digitally excluded.
“It is important that there is a debate about how to address this issue.”
