Bakery refuses to sell bread to 94-year-old woman as she only had ‘dirty’ cash

A bakery in Nottingham refused to sell bread to a 94-year-old woman because she wanted to use ‘dirty’ cash. 

The elderly lady said she felt shocked and embarrassed after being asked to return all her items, as she wanted to pay with cash due to not owning a bank card. 

The cafe, Birds, that has reopened following closure in the lockdown has put in place a new ‘cashless rule’ like many other establishments. 

However, Edna, who prefers to pay ‘the old fashioned way’, says she has never owned a bank card.

Edna said: “I went into Birds because I wanted a loaf of bread and some potted meat. She said to me ‘have you got a card?’

“I did not know what she was on about. I said ‘Oh I have never used a card in my life. I always pay the old fashioned way, which is how I was brought up. I felt like I was being treated like a small child and being talked down too.

“None of the other shops have ever refused my money.

“There is a virus, I understand that, but a lot of elderly people do not use cards and are not into that technology.”

The manager explained that they are not accepting cash due to hygiene reasons in attempts to reduce the risk to staff and customers.

Lisa Clarke, manager of Birds in Arnold, told Nottinghamshire Live: “One of the arrangements is we could open if it is card only and because cash is dirty.

“With the coronavirus and pandemic they want to minimise the risk to ourselves and customers.”

She said about eight elderly people had been stopped since they reopened back in April, adding that most elderly people are now using their cards in the store.

She added: “If they have not got a card unfortunately we can’t give them the goods. Whether it will change in the future as guidelines change”.

Edna says she has used her cash at stores like Tesco and Morrisons, but she is not the only pensioner who has been refused essential items at the Birds store. 

Grandma Glynis Kirk, 86, was also told she could not buy some pork pies without paying on her card.

Glynis, who only uses her card for her big shop and not smaller purchases, described the situation as ‘disgusting’.

Glynis, who is good friends with Edna, added: “I went into Arnold last Wednesday and went into Birds for a couple of pork pies. It was £2.50. I was told ‘you have to use your card.’

“The only time I use it is with my big shops in Morrisons to last me all week. I have never known a shop to ask for your card.

“Edna is an elderly lady and to treat her like that is just disgusting. She had to leave it and come out of the shop.”

Her granddaughter, Michelle Kirk, added: “Elderly people are going to struggle unless someone gets it for them.

“Cash is a legal tender. I understand that card is preferred but if that method is not available you should be able to take cash. I feel they need to revert this stupid policy.

“Most of Birds customers will be over the age of 60 I should imagine. It is humiliating having to put stuff back. It’s like you can’t afford it.”