94-year-old pensioner denied loaf of bread as 'cash is dirty' amid pandemic, bakery staff insists 'cards only'
A 94-year-old woman was told she couldn't make purchases at a bakery store because she could only pay in cash. Edna Dalchin, a former hosiery worker from Basford, has never owned a bak card and prefers to pay "the old fashioned way," Nottinghamshire Live reported.
However, she was shocked and embarrassed when staff at a Birds Bakery in Bulwell told her to put items back on the shelf saying they could not accept a cash payment. Dalchin has been able to make purchases with cash for all her shopping during the coronavirus pandemic, even at Tesco and Morrisons. However, Birds has asked customers to only used card and online payments "because notes and coins are not clean."
Aside from Dalchin, 86-year-old Glynis Kirk was also told she couldn't purchase some pork pies at an Arnold store without paying on her card. "I went into Birds because I wanted a loaf of bread and some potted meat. She said to me 'have you got a card?'" Dalchin told Nottinghamshire Live. "I did not know what she was on about. I said 'Oh I have never used a card in my life. I always pay the old fashioned way, which is how I was brought up."
"I felt like I was being treated like a small child and being talked down too," she continued. "None of the other shops have ever refused my money. There is a virus, I understand that, but a lot of elderly people do not use cards and are not into that technology."
According to Dalchin, she usually gets cash money from the Post Office every week, and that allows her to pay for essentials such as food items.
Kirk, who is friends with Dalchin, described the situation as "disgusting." "I went into Arnold last Wednesday and went into Birds for a couple of pork pies. It was £2.50. I was told 'you have to use your card," she recalled. "The only time I use it is with my big shops in Morrisons to last me all week. I have never known a shop to ask for your card."
"Edna is an elderly lady and to treat her like that is just disgusting. She had to leave it and come out of the shop," Kirk added.
"Elderly people are going to struggle unless someone gets it for them," Kirk's granddaughter Michelle, 39, added. "Cash is a legal tender. I understand that card is preferred but if that method is not available you should be able to take cash."
"I feel they need to revert this stupid policy," she continued. "Most of Birds customers will be over the age of 60 I should imagine. It is humiliating having to put stuff back. It's like you can't afford it."
Lisa Clarke, the manager of Birds Bakery, also spoke to the regional newspaper. “One of the arrangements implies we could open if it is card only and because cash is dirty," she said. “With the coronavirus and pandemic, they want to minimize the risk to ourselves and customers.”
Meanwhile, major supermarkets are still accepting cash payments.
It's important to note that older members of society have faced the brunt of coronavirus restrictions in the U.K. Many of them were more or less trapped in their care homes since March so they could be protected from the deadly contagion.
Lockdown restrictions were finally lifted three weeks ago, allowing older Britons to reunite with their families again.