While cash might not be as popular as it once was, the opportunity to fashion the next series of banknotes has got brains whirring and tails wagging. Within a day of reporting on the Bank of England’s public invitation to influence a major redesign of banknotes, there were more than 2,000 responses.
Dudley the British Bulldog will be one of the least likely contenders, despite being described as a “national treasure” by his owner Julie, from Plymouth. But animals and nature, as well as railways and TV nostalgia have featured strongly among the ideas.
Images of historical characters, starting with William Shakespeare, have featured on Bank of England notes since 1970. Now, the Bank’s chief cashier Victoria Cleland has suggested images on the next set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes could stick with notable figures of the past or move on to a new theme.
The Bank is giving people a month to select from certain themes, such as architecture, innovation or the arts, or suggest their own topics. Among the themes to be suggested was a celebration of the UK’s maritime heritage. The Mary Rose, HMS Belfast, HMS Trincomalee, HMS Victory, Cutty Sark, and the SS Great Britain are all worthy of a place on a banknote.
There are appeals for the themes and choices to represent the whole of the country. The Angel of the North is a regular suggestion, and areas of natural beauty such as the Yorkshire Dales. Mike in Salisbury thinks using tourist sites on banknotes could bring benefits.
Nostalgia features heavily, bringing a more recent historical outlook to notes that have carried images of people from the past for more than 50 years. “Some classic British children’s TV characters like Willow The Wisp, Bagpuss, or even a collection of them would make me smile,” says Steve in Cardiff.
Nostalgia for the railways and “local and meaningful” stations also features in responses. “With the 200 years of the railway in Britain being celebrated, it seems a shame not to celebrate that considering we gave railways to the world,” says Ian in Derby.
Despite the wide range of options, some people are keen to stick to the way key figures in history are honoured on banknotes. “Having looked at all the options I really do think that historical figures should still be number one choice. Might it be possible to include Diana Princess of Wales somewhere?” asks Elizabeth, from Oxford.
But with cash used in only 12% of transactions, some say the time and effort involved in a huge overhaul of notes is unnecessary. “We are sadly faced with the prospect of a cashless society, with so many places refusing to accept my cash, so I have to wonder, why bother changing the design?” says Dawn in Redditch.
Ian in Leighton Buzzard is much more blunt. “I would suggest that the new banknotes look like a mobile phone because that is how people are used to paying,” he says. People can submit their views via an online form on the Bank’s website, or by post, by the end of July. The final decision on what exactly features on a banknote lies with the Bank’s governor.
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