I tried to order a meal at Tesco with a £10 note and people say what happened next is 'bonkers'

For lots of people, going to the local big Tesco Extra is always an event. You can almost get lost in the gigantic stores with their runway-length escalators and endless aisles. But one journalist at the Manchester Evening News was sent there with one particular mission in mind.

Amy Walker takes up the story: When my editor briefed me about the most recent change to their café system, with the conversation-starter: "Got a mission for you", I was in my car before I knew it. Armed with a crisp £10 note, my task was a simple one - to buy some lunch from the café using said note. The only catch - over 40 of its superstore cafes have stopped accepting cash.

The move has seen its customers forced to pay by card or contactless at self-service machines. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here READ MORE: Martin Lewis MSE gives seven day Tesco Clubcard vouchers warning READ MORE: Tesco makes major 'cash payment' change in move customers brand 'bonkers' An increasing number of retailers and cafes are refusing to take cash as a cost cutting measure because it is more expensive for them to handle. Recent figures published by banking industry trade body UK Finance found the number of payments made using notes and coins fell by 7 per cent in 2023, compared to the previous year.

At the same time, it found that 40 per cent of people – mainly under 24s - now effectively live a cashless life and rely on cards and smartphone apps, such as Apple Pay. However, critics sa.