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Original poster

Older "paper" vs "plastic" £20 notes

12 replies

AinmÁlainn · 16/05/2023 10:48

I don't think I can spend them, can I? I'm not from the UK but here for a couple of days and dh handed me a couple of £20 notes he found in his wallet as I left this morning. God knows when he got them. I just had a proper look and as they don't have the plastic window, I think they might be old tender. Am I right?

OP posts:
QueenOfThorns · 16/05/2023 10:50

Yes, they’re not legal tender. My BIL was over a few weeks ago and couldn’t spend his. You can swap them for the new ones in a bank, though (I think).

Original poster
AinmÁlainn · 16/05/2023 10:51

Thanks, that's what I suspected. I don't really want to waste limited time in a bank, but if I pass one I'll see how busy it is.

OP posts:
Shade17 · 16/05/2023 11:35

QueenOfThorns · 16/05/2023 10:50

Yes, they’re not legal tender. My BIL was over a few weeks ago and couldn’t spend his. You can swap them for the new ones in a bank, though (I think).

Presumably the OP’s not looking to settle any debts? It’s entirely up to shops themselves whether they accept them or not, unlikely in a large chain but possible in a small independent.

OhBanana · 16/05/2023 12:11

Banks no longer have to legally exchange or deposit old £20 notes. If you try and fob them off to a small business as pp suggests you may inadvertently cheat them out of £20 if their bank won’t take them! Some banks and even post offices may still change them for you though if they choose to so your best bet is to try a bank if you pass one!

PaltnSepper · 16/05/2023 12:30

The post office changed mine for me a couple of months ago, with no problem.

MarsDestroyerOfWorlds · 16/05/2023 12:54

The bank took mine recently, but would only pay them into an account. They wouldn’t just swap them.

Shade17 · 16/05/2023 12:58

If you try and fob them off to a small business as pp suggests you may inadvertently cheat them out of £20 if their bank won’t take them!

Nonsense! It’s still pretty easy to deposit old notes into your account at either your bank or Post Office. I’d accept old £20 notes without issue.

CharlottenBurger · 16/05/2023 13:04

I believe Bank of Scotland and Virgin Money will swap them for you even if you don't have an account. You can take your banknotes and photo ID to a participating Post Office branch and swap them (hand over old, get new).

OhBanana · 16/05/2023 14:06

Shade17 · 16/05/2023 12:58

If you try and fob them off to a small business as pp suggests you may inadvertently cheat them out of £20 if their bank won’t take them!

Nonsense! It’s still pretty easy to deposit old notes into your account at either your bank or Post Office. I’d accept old £20 notes without issue.

This happened at my workplace. Young team member accepted without realising. Bank wouldn’t take it. So whilst unlikely, it can happen!

cocksstrideintheevening · 16/05/2023 14:09

Pretty sure you can only deposit in high street banks now. Bank of England will continue to exchange. So if you have a UK bank account and get to a branch they will deposit and then you can withdraw.

Shade17 · 17/05/2023 09:52

OhBanana · 16/05/2023 14:06

This happened at my workplace. Young team member accepted without realising. Bank wouldn’t take it. So whilst unlikely, it can happen!

Show quote history

But plenty of banks and POs will accept them though so it’s hardly the end of the world.

Murpe · 17/05/2023 09:59

you can find a Post Office branch that will accept them through this https://www.postoffice.co.uk/banknote-exchange

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