Cornish licensee bans euro, fearing loss of trade

The licensee of a Cornish pub is refusing to accept euros because he fears the new currency could be bad for trade.

Chris McCabe (pictured)​, who runs the Rose Cottage Tavern in Redruth, said he would not allow customers to pay for drinks with the new currency because he is keen to keep the pound.

"Our pound is our pound," Mr McCabe said. "It's bad enough having to drink euro beer that has invaded our shores, let alone pay for it in Disney dosh.

"I'm not against the people in Euroland, but do we really want our currency run from over there? Euroland is already killing our trade with cheap lower-duty goods, now they want to finish us off with dodgy dollars. Well, they can keep them but they're not coming into my pub."

Mr McCabe told thePublican.com that he had nothing against foreigners and was even planning to twin his pub with one in Germany.

"We get a lot of German and French tourists in here and although nobody has tried to use euros yet it is bound to happen as soon as the holiday season starts," he added.

"We've put up signs in German and French saying we don't accept the new currency and we will apologise to anyone who tries to use them. I'd say around 80 per cent of my customers don't agree with the euro either."

The licensee will be surveying his customers on the issue and intends to present the results to his local MP Cathy Anderton this week.

His views conflict with those of licensees in some other parts of the country who have already started accepting the euro.

Related stories:​

200-year-old pub amongst the first to take euros (2 January 2002)

Many pubs will not accept euro (7 December 2001)

Wetherspoon boss will accept euro in his pubs (28 November 2001)

Wetherspoon chairman attacks euro (7 September 2001)