THE president of a campaign group for Weymouth and Portland has raised concerns about businesses moving towards card-only payments.

The Covid pandemic has accelerated the gradual movement towards card payments - especially contactless.

It comes after fears that Covid - which is reported to be able to survive on certain surfaces for several hours - could potentially be spread via notes and coins, which is one argument favouring the card-only payment trend.

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Dorset Echo: Mike Kelly, president of the Weymouth and Portland Access GroupMike Kelly, president of the Weymouth and Portland Access Group

However Mike Kelly, president of the Weymouth and Portland Access Group, said a move away from cash would put many groups at a 'disadvantage' including the elderly and disabled.

He said: "This is a concern.

"I can understand why some retailers, for example, may prefer card payments because of the pandemic, but many people prefer to use cash and in any case some retailers do not like cards to be used for small payments - presumably because of bank charges.

"A move away from cash would disadvantage many people.

"It would disproportionally affect people with disabilities and elderly people but could exclude many poor people and also young children from shopping.

"Retailers should understand that minorities and the more marginalised in the community have rights to make transactions and also make a contribution to the local economy. Confidence and concerns for security may also cause people to choose to use cash.

"The banks also have a responsibility to extend, not diminish, the ways a customer can pay.

"There are legitimate concerns that banks would like to reduce the use of cash and phase out the use of cheques but developments in IT should provide customers with more choice not less."

Concerns have also been raised by Lanie Caines, who works as a support worker for adults with learning difficulties - and said the ability to use cash gives them a sense of independence.

Ms Caines cares for 10 adults, aged between 30 and 60 years old, with learning difficulties across the Weymouth area.

However, she recently took one of her of clients on a day out to The Esplanade in Weymouth, where the client, who struggles with autism, tried to pay for a coffee with cash at The Beach Café - but was refused and told it could only be paid with card.

Dorset Echo: The Beach Café on Weymouth's seafrontThe Beach Café on Weymouth's seafront

Ms Caines said: "One of the people I care for tried paying for a coffee around May time, but they were told they only accept card.

"I understand the concerns of staff handling cash and fears of transferring the virus during the pandemic, but explaining to someone who struggles with learning difficulties can find change stressful.

"Removing the ability to pay with cash can limit the choice of these groups of people, who are already massively limited.

"It can reduce their independence and cognitive development even further."

A spokeswoman from Weymouth Town Council, which runs the café, said: "Our cafés are set up to take payment by both cash and card.

"We did trial card payments-only earlier in the year, but after listening to feedback from our customers we went back to taking cash and card.

"The Beach Café resumed cash payments from mid-May onwards.

"The cafés have proved to be very popular over the summer period, and where possible, we encourage customers to pay by card to help with the smooth running of the service and to minimise any queues."