News

More than half of UK shoppers say businesses are encouraging cash payments, new LINK Cash Index finds

New research from LINK, the UK’s ATM and cash access network, shows that 54% of people have been asked or encouraged to pay in cash in the past eight weeks — and when they are, three quarters (75%) complete their purchase using cash.

The key headlines are:

• 54% of people say they've visited a business in the past eight weeks that has encouraged cash payment, whether through signs saying a business accepts or prefers cash, or being asked directly if they can pay that way.
• The encouragement happens mostly at small or independent businesses: cafés  or restaurants (22%), independent shops (19%), hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons (16%), outdoor markets (12%), and pubs, retail shops and supermarkets (8–9%).
• 75% of those who experienced encouragement went on to complete their purchase with cash; 20% chose not to.
• In a hypothetical scenario, 69% say they would pay with cash if asked. Of those, 38% say they would use cash if they had it on them at the time,  while the remainder would always have cash on them to complete the purchase or would go to an ATM to withdraw cash.
• Northern Ireland reported the highest exposure to cash encouragement (69%) and the strongest positive response (88% completed purchases in cash). London, Yorkshire and the North-West reported higher exposure (58–61%). Scotland and Wales recorded completion rates of 82% and 78% respectively, both above the UK average.
• Preference for cash rose to 15% in September 2026 (from 13% in March 2026). Contactless cards remain the top choice at 39%, followed by mobile payments at 31%. 

LINK’s twice‑yearly Cash Index tracks how people across the UK are using and thinking about cash. It brings together five years of research into payment preferences, cash usage, cash acceptance and consumer attitudes, providing the most comprehensive and consistent picture of cash in the UK today.

These findings echo separate research from LINK's Consumer Council, which found that 77% of small and medium sized retailers across the UK still accept cash, with 46% of in-person transactions remaining cash-based. Among those businesses, nearly half (46%) said they actively encourage customers to pay with cash, avoiding card fees, improved liquidity and faster transactions being cited   as the main benefits. Together, the two studies tell the same story: many businesses are actively trying to keep cash alive on the high street, and shoppers are willing to play their part.

Graham Mott, Director of Strategy, LINK: "These results show cash remains a practical choice for millions and that many small businesses are actively encouraging its use, making a resilient ATM network more important than ever. It's also fascinating to see when prompted, most people are happy to pay with cash and still choose it for certain retailers and services."