Over the last few years, it has become increasingly clear that the UK is heading towards becoming a cashless society. Paper and coins have served us well for hundreds of years, but they have now been usurped by digital payments. Many people agree that there’s not much merit in continuing with physical money in an ever-evolving digital world, but it’s still unclear as to when online transactions will take over completely.
As one of the most forward-thinking cities in the country, Brighton could be among the first to ditch old-school forms of payment. There are already many wheels in motion on the path towards this area going cashless.
Internet Has Brought About a Rise in Digital Payments
Throughout history, payment systems have changed as society has evolved. When the internet first became mainstream and gave birth to a booming e-commerce industry, it quickly became clear that cash payments wouldn’t cut it anymore. Credit and debit cards swiftly shot to become the main payment methods, along with other systems like PayPal and Skrill.
It’s clear that internet users want an abundance of options, with some people preferring traditional cards and others opting for modern payment platforms. This is highlighted by the fact that businesses will often advertise their transaction options as a selling point. For example, Netflix has made itself accessible to millions by accepting payment methods like prepaid cards and virtual cards. The best online slots sites in the UK also try to set themselves apart from their rivals by providing many payment options. For example, Pub Casino can process transactions using Skrill, Trustly, Neteller, and Apple Pay.
With the rise of digital payment methods online, many people across the UK have grown accustomed to their favourite virtual method of moving funds. This has meant that cash is getting used less frequently than before, and businesses in the real world have adapted to these changes as well. Indeed, some brick-and-mortar locations have already gone completely cashless.
Amex Has Already Gone Cashless
There are some huge indications that Brighton is moving towards becoming a cashless city, with the home of Brighton & Hove Albion already opting to stop taking cash payments. The American Express Stadium has only taken digital payments since 2020, and there have been various advantages to this. It has led to a speedier service and shorter queue times, along with better hygiene as catering staff don’t have to handle money anymore. Over the last few years, the Amex has welcomed more payment options as well, including mobile systems and gift cards.
There have also been some rule changes throughout the city that indicate that Brighton is moving towards a cashless future. In 2022, it was announced that taxi drivers in the area were required to start accepting digital payment options by law. This meant that cabbies were no longer allowed to refuse to pick up customers who wanted to pay using methods other than cash.
What are the Advantages of Going Cashless?
Some people may feel like they don’t want to give up on the feeling of security that comes with having a wallet full of notes. However, there are various advantages to moving towards a cashless society, and it makes sense that cities like Brighton are pushing forward with this now. One of the most obvious reasons is the convenience and the fact that people no longer need to visit a bank or cash machine to get funds out. Paying with a digital method cuts out the middleman and speeds up the process of transactions.
There are clear hygiene benefits to moving away from cash as well. Research suggests that the average £10 note has around 600 people’s germs on it, highlighting how easy it is to spread bacteria when spending money in busy places. You certainly don’t want a food seller to be touching money like this and then going on to cook food. By switching to digital methods and contactless payments, these germs won’t get passed from one person to another.
According to recent research, Brighton is currently fourth in the UK towards going cashless, behind Bristol, Birmingham, and London. It could now be a race between these major cities to find out which one will catapult the UK into this digital future first. Anyone who hasn’t made the switch to online payment platforms should start getting used to them now.
