Why going cashless isn’t always a win for local communities

Across Exeter, card-only signs are becoming a familiar sight. From cafés near the Quayside to ticketed events and pop-up markets, paying with cash is no longer guaranteed. For many residents, the shift feels efficient and modern, fitting neatly with contactless cards and mobile wallets.

Yet the assumption that cashless always equals progress is starting to fray. As more everyday services move to card-only models, questions are being raised about who benefits, who loses out, and what happens to trust when payment choice disappears. Convenience is powerful, but it is not the whole story.

Privacy and payment choice

Beyond convenience, payment methods shape how much control people have over their personal data. Digital payments create records by default, tracking where money is spent and how often. For some, that trade-off is acceptable; for others, it is deeply uncomfortable.

This matters because cash is one of the few everyday tools that still offers anonymity. The same desire for privacy explains why some online users gravitate toward services that minimise data collection, including entertainment platforms and even resources discussing casino’s without KYC as examples of how anonymity is preserved in digital spaces. KYC (Know Your Customer) checks can result in gamers submitting more personal data than they’re comfortable with - hence why many actively seek sites that don’t feature this security step.

While gambling is not part of daily life for most residents, the underlying concern is shared: people value the option to transact without constant monitoring.

Removing cash entirely narrows that choice. It quietly normalises the idea that participation in local life requires surrendering data, whether buying lunch or attending a community event.

Card-only trends in Exeter

There is no denying the pace of change. Nationally, cash is being used less often, and local businesses are responding to how most customers now pay. Only 9% of all UK payments were made in cash in 2024, down from 12% the year before.

That decline makes card-only policies feel commercially sensible. However, focusing purely on percentages can mask how cash still functions as essential infrastructure. Even if fewer transactions involve notes and coins, cash remains a vital fallback when networks fail or budgets are tight.

Who gets left out

The move to cashless does not affect everyone equally. Older residents, people on lower incomes, and those without reliable access to banking apps are more likely to rely on cash for day-to-day spending. For them, cash is not nostalgia; it is practical budgeting.

At the same time, digital payment use is far from universal. Around half of UK adults used mobile contactless payments at least once a month in 2024, which also means half did not. In rural parts of Devon, patchy mobile signals and fewer bank branches compound the problem.

When services go card-only, these residents are not choosing to opt out. They are being excluded by default.

Balancing convenience with local trust

The real challenge for Exeter is balance. Card payments are fast and popular, and few would argue for abandoning them. But resilient communities keep multiple options alive, especially when systems fail or costs rise.

That is why access-to-cash protections and community-led solutions matter. Retaining ATMs, accepting cash at key venues, or clearly signalling payment options can help preserve trust without rejecting innovation. Progress does not have to mean uniformity.

For local organisations and councils, the takeaway is simple. Payment choices are not just technical decisions; they shape who feels welcome. In a city built on community ties, that choice deserves careful thought.