It took a little longer for the barista at the Moorgate (London) branch of Eat to make a coffee for me this morning so I took time to observe the payment habits of my fellow customers.
No one, not one single person paid with cash in the entire time I was standing there – contactless all the way and, more encouragingly, almost everyone was using ApplePay or Google Pay on their smartphones to pay for their morning latte.
I walked out of the coffee shop feeling very positive about the accelerated transition from cash to cashless in the UK then……
…..I observed a homeless person sitting outside (the soon to be closed) Moorgate branch of Lloyds Bank.
Our reaction to those less fortunate is often a challenge in itself but being 100% cashless does have an unintended consequence.
My warm cashless buzz immediately evaporated – and I wondered what my response should be?
No problem I concluded, We Work have a shared office just up the road and they host a wonderful Tap London contactless donation point – sorted.
Inclusivity is an important facet of transitioning to a cashless society – continued support for those who find themselves homeless as we transition away from cash is crucial.
Creative solutions from Tap London and willingness of organisations like We Work to host contactless donation points should be applauded.
So, as you stand in the coffee queue tomorrow morning and pay for your latte with ApplePay do think about how you can play your part in making cashless a truly inclusive reality.
And, perhaps, Eat could host a Tap London contactless donation point?