Contactless payment sounds death knell for pub minimum charges

Requirements issued by card providers Visa and Mastercard will mean drinkers must be given the option to pay by contactless by 2020, the Telegraph newspaper understands.

Currently, many pubs have a minimum spend to cover the cost of processing the payment.

Richard Koch of the UK Cards Association said: “The compulsory introduction of tap and go payments in 2020 will discourage retailers from imposing a £5 minimum spend on card payments. Pubs and convenience stores especially are less likely impose a minimum spend on contactless payments is because it helps them cut queuing time and make more sales.”

British shoppers have embraced contactless payment, with the number of payments made by contactless rocketing by 560% in the last year according to Mastercard, while Barclay’s say they have trebled.

Despite initial concerns from consumers, contactless payments can now be made in most major shops, on buses and on the tube.