Anger as card machines crash on one of the trade's busiest nights

Many pubs were left unable to take card payments on Friday (11 December) and were forced to ask customers to pay by cash.

The team at the Red Lion pub in Ealing took to Twitter to express their anger, writing: “Appalling customer service #globalpayments.”

Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange added: “Disastrous night for ‪#globalpayments​ to go down! We can only apologise to our customers on the 2nd busiest Xmas night of the year. Cash only.”

Pub group the Draft House was also among those hit, with its Tower Bridge, Hammersmith and Columbia Road sites all warning customers to bring cash.

Restaurants and retailers were also affected by the crash.

The importance of the Christmas trading period for pubs has been highlighted after one Manchester licensee estimated he had lost over £12,000​ after Virgin Media cut off his broadband and phone line.

Michael Coleman, who runs Robinson’s tenancy the Ring O’Bells in Stockport told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser​ the pub had been left in a difficult financial position after he was unable to take telephone bookings or process card payments. 

Global Payments was unavailable for comment.