The recommendation comes after it emerged that thousands of shops could ignore Royal Mint’s deadline to stop accepting old £1 coins, which cease to be legal tender at midnight on Sunday (15 October).
The coins are being phased out as part of a move by the Government to clamp down on counterfeit copies – as many as one in 30 round £1 coins in circulation is fake. The new 12-sided coin, introduced in March, was specifically designed to reduce the number of forgeries.
"Venues should ensure that all staff members are aware they should not be accepting the old pound coin after this weekend,” said Kate Nichols, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.
“It is also probably a good idea to avoid giving out the old coin in change in the final few days before the deadline. Make sure your team members talk to customers to ensure they are also aware of the rules around pound coins."
Prepared for the changeover
A British Beer and Pub Association spokesman added: “We urge everyone to make sure they are prepared for the changeover on the day, and make sure all staff are fully aware. The best advice has to be to stick to the letter of the guidance, and not to accept or give out any old pound coins after the deadline.”
Businesses have been advised that all old £1 coins should be banked before the cut-off date, but most high street banks and the Post Office should accept them after this date.