Written evidence submitted by Cool Blue
Canoes Ltd
I am writing to you as Chair of the Treasury Select
Committee and the deliberations concerning the abolishment of
cheques as all the media cover has failed to cover my business
situation which rely on cheques.
My business, like many others, visit sporting events
and sell to the public. My main sport is Canoe Slalom which frequently
take place in remote locations and this creates a set of circumstances
that force us to use only cash and cheques. I have spoken to many
banks and not one have offered a solution. I am unable to take
credit or debit cards due to the location—a muddy river
bank in remote locations always without mains power and frequently
with no or unreliable mobile phone signal.
This means that the electronic equipment offered
by banks will not work, neither would mobile phone payments (one
that has been suggested). So abolishing cheques means that the
only method of trading is in cash. This is not appropriate, firstly
many sales would not happen as people do not carry the quantity
of cash to make the purchases, secondly its not secure carrying
large quantities of cash either for the public or for my business,
thirdly it is more prone to staff theft as cheques are worthless
to staff and finally, from the Government's point of view, surely
you do not want more cash businesses that can so easily be used
to dodge tax or launder money.
Unless the banks can come up with a cost effective
(for small businesses), efficient and reliable replacement that
does not use on fancy technology that will not work in remote
locations, cheques should remain.
It appears that the banks are solely focused on cutting
cost for them and with total disregard to the real impact of such
a decision. I have spoken with many banks and asked about taking
card payments and explained the circumstances of my business.
Every single one said that they could help and then offered equipment
that needed a power supply and land phone line—totally useless
for me!
I am concerned that your committee do take fully
in to account my circumstances as there are many businesses who
operate like me at sporting events, rural markets, fairs etc.
Such a decision to scrap cheques will send many businesses to
closure as there is no practical way to trade in such circumstances.
As a guide I would estimate that something in the order of 80%
of my business is by cheque payment.
May 2011
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