Historic Gillingham pub gets new lease of life as convenience store

A new study by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has revealed that cash usage in shops has risen for the second consecutive year, as more consumers turn to coins and notes amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The research found that one in five transactions last year were made using cash, as shoppers cite it as an effective budgeting tool.

The rise in cash usage follows recent data from major surveys, including one from payments platform Paysafe, which confirms that payment choice remains a key factor for UK shoppers, with many valuing the availability of cash. This is further supported by new laws introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to protect access to cash through an increase in banking hubs and Post Office facilities.