Oyster card style payments in pubs

Pub customers will soon be able to pay for a pint with Oyster style credit or debit cards without the fuss of entering a pin number.

Compufix, whose customers include Orchid Group, Fullers, Barracuda and JW Lees, is to launch the first contactless mobile handheld payment terminal in the pub trade this month.

The system allows customers with contactless technology cards to quickly make payments for all transactions under £10 and there is no minimum limit.

All major banks are now issuing contactless technology cards. Barclays said it will issue a further 6m in the coming months.

"Customers won't have to worry about having enough cash in their pockets," said Compufix managing director Greg Lomax.

"They can simply pay via their debit card. And there is no minimum spend required — so if they want to just buy a pint, they can.

"So customers will always have the correct 'change'. They will not have to mess about with pin numbers or signatures, and therefore won't have to queue for so long.

"It could also lead to a higher spend from customers, who are not limited by the change in their pocket."

He added: "We hope to have the first terminals in pubs shortly, and we believe technologically savvy consumers will increasingly choose to go to pubs that offer this payment facility. Improving service quality and meeting customer demand will increase customer satisfaction."

Lomax said that pub operators would also find the new system quicker and more secure.

"Pubs will also be able to reduce floats and the amount of money they keep on their premises, improving security and reducing insurance premiums."

The limit for contactless payments will increase from £10 to £15 next February and customers can currently make six payments of up to a value of £30 before being asked to enter a pin number.