More than half of British shoppers have been encouraged to pay in cash as small businesses dodge card fees

New data from Link, the UK's largest ATM and cash access network, shows that 54 per cent of British shoppers have been nudged toward paying in cash over the past eight weeks as small businesses look to sidestep card processing fees. Of those prompted, three quarters went on to complete their purchase using physical money. The share of shoppers naming cash as their preferred payment method climbed to 15 per cent in September 2026, up from 13 per cent in March.

Cafes and restaurants are driving the trend most strongly at 22 per cent, with independent shops at 19 per cent and hairdressers and salons at 16 per cent.

Northern Ireland saw the highest rate of cash encouragement, with 88 per cent of those approached going on to pay in cash.

Six in ten shoppers would be willing to pay in cash on request, even if that required a prior trip to an ATM to withdraw funds.