I am a student at Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland. Recently, I experienced a situation that left me feeling frustrated and helpless. In the university's food retail shop, I was denied my groceries because they no longer accepted cash payments. This was not an isolated incident; just last week, Boojum on Botanic Avenue Belfast refused to accept my cash payment for lunch.

These experiences are not only inconvenient but also discriminatory against those who prefer or need to use cash as their primary form of payment. It is imperative that we ensure everyone has equal access to goods and services regardless of their preferred method of payment.

In 2019, the UK Access to Cash Review warned that over 8 million adults would struggle in a cashless society – particularly older people and those in rural communities (source: UK Access to Cash Review). Despite this warning, many businesses are moving towards becoming 'cashless', thereby excluding a significant portion of our population from accessing essential goods and services.

We must protect the rights of all consumers by making it a legal requirement for all high street businesses selling directly to the public to always accept cash as one form of payment without exception. This will ensure fair access for everyone irrespective of their financial circumstances or preferences.

Please join me in urging our lawmakers to make this crucial change by signing this petition today!