There are now less than two weeks until the the old paper £10 note is removed from circulation. The notes will cease to be legal tender on March 1st 2018.
The new polymer £10 note was issued on 14 September 2017, features Jane Austen and is 132mm x 69mm. The current paper £10 note features Charles Darwin and is 142mm x 75mm.
The new £10 note is printed on polymer — a thin and flexible plastic material. It’s around 15% smaller than the paper £10 note. On the front of the £10 polymer note (the side with raised print), there are two clusters of raised dots in the top left hand corner. This tactile feature helps blind and partially sighted people identify the value of the note.
As with any change in banknote design, all businesses that handle cash need to plan and prepare for the introduction of the new notes. Over 30 countries currently use polymer banknotes including Australia, Canada and Mexico.
Checklist
- Ensure you know which cash handling machines are being operated by your business. These machines include self-service check-outs, desktop counters, ATMs, ticket machines, and any other machine that weighs, counts, sorts, accepts, dispenses or recycles banknotes. For most machines, a software update will be needed.
- Manage your customer’s expectations. If you have not been able to adapt your machines before the new note is issued, have a process in place so that customers can still make payments.
- Train your staff. A range of materials to support staff training on issue and withdrawal are available at http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/Pages/educational.aspx.
- Keep up to date with the latest information about polymer banknotes, and other banknote news, by registering at: www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/Pages/subscribe.
More information and resources on transitioning to the new £10 note are available at https://www.thenewten.co.uk/
