A new report has revealed the remarkable decline in access to physical money in Norfolk - and the impact on people who do not want it to disappear.
The Norfolk County Council study reveals how older and disabled people, businesses and charities are suffering because it is getting harder for them to get hold of notes and coins.
Analysis by County Hall officers found the number of cash transactions in Norfolk fell from 19.1m in 2019 to 10.3m in 2024, with the value plummeting from £1.3bn to £880m over that period.
It also found, over the same period, the number of automated cash machines in Norfolk dropped from 784 to 536 in 2025, as many banks closed their doors.
But surveys also found that, despite an era when many use digital banking and make payments using cards, there is a significant number of people in Norfolk who are still reliant on cash.
A survey of residents, which garnered 663 responses, found 37pc used cash often and 37pc very often.
Why are people still keen on cash?
There were a string of reasons given as to why people still depend on cash.
Some older people were not comfortable - or able - to use online banking, while for people on low incomes they said being able to use real money helped them to budget better.
Some people with disabilities also preferred cash, with those with impaired vision concerned about "intentional and unintentional errors" made by those operating card machines.
Many also said they preferred to use cash because of the fear of fraud and scams with digital payments.
And some simply preferred the flexibility of using cash, saying it was easier to use it to make donations to charities or to buy products at village events.
What do businesses say?
A survey of businesses led to 56 responses, with 13pc never handling cash. But 69pc said the handled it often or very often.
For some businesses, cash transactions are easier to process and avoided the costs associated with card payments.
But others said the loss of banks from their High Streets meant it was now becoming harder to deposit cash.
While post offices still offer cash facilities and the county has four bank hubs - where in-person banking can be done - the criteria to get such hubs mean many places in Norfolk do not qualify.
'It's the coin of the realm and we need to protect that'
The council's infrastructure and development select committee discussed the report and the issues it brought to light at a meeting on Thursday.
Chris Dawson, Conservative councillor for Marshland South, who initially requested the report last year, said: "For me, representing a rural area, my first thoughts were 'it's the coin of the realm and we need to protect that'.
"There's so much under challenge in our way of life today and I think it's symbolic of our Britishness.
"We've just had our poppy collections and I wonder how successful that would have been this year if we'd not had cash.
"I engage with a lot of small fundraising events, whether coffee or bingo and it all involves cash.
"In those small communities, that cash and that fundraising is helping sustain and promote and it's very important in rural communities."
The UK has been at the forefront of the switch to a cashless society, a trend which was accelerated during the pandemic.
Experts say that by the start of the 2030s cash may account for just 6pc of all payments.
David Bills, Conservative councillor for Humbleyard said the report had been "eye opening" and showed the need to retain access to cash.
Rob Colwell, Liberal Democrat councillor for Gaywood South, said as someone who pays for everything through his phone, the report had helped him understand the issues of people who did not.
Dr Catherine Rowett, Green group leader highlighted how cyber attacks could shut people out of bank accounts, so it was important to retain cash as a "national security aspect".
She also said victims of domestic abuse, who could have digital bank accounts controlled by partners, also often relied on being able to put aside cash to flee their abusers.
The committee agreed to ask the Conservative-controlled cabinet to write to ministers outlining the importance of cash for Norfolk and how the government should support its continued usage, including by relaxing the eligibility criteria for banking hubs.
Bishop highlighted concerns
The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham Usher, highlighted the problems in the House of Lords, when he said at least 12 bank branches in Norfolk had been closed in 2023.
He said: "The sad reality is that the withdrawal of banks from market towns has disadvantaged sections of our community, especially those who want to speak to a human and not a robot."
Share