More than half of shoppers say cafes, barbers and pubs have encouraged them to pay in cash recently

Three in four shoppers asked to hand over notes and coins did exactly that, according to research for ATM network Link. Northern Ireland leads the cash revival: 69% were nudged to pay that way and 88% of them obliged. Scotland and Wales followed, with 82% and 78% paying cash when asked. YouGov polled more than 2,100 people on September 10 and 11.

Requests ranged from 'cash preferred' signs to staff asking customers outright at the till.

Hairdressers, beauty salons, outdoor markets and even supermarkets were among those asking for cash.

Link's Graham Mott said the findings make a resilient ATM network 'more important than ever'.