Bristol Temple Meads railway station has become the first station to accept a local currency, it now accepts ‘Bristol Pounds’, joining others taking part in the expansion of the community currency and adding to the European Green Capital events.
Bristol 2015 European Green Capital writes:
The Bristol Pound, the UK’s first city-wide local currency is now being accepted by First Great Western for the first time at Bristol Temple Meads station.
Designed to build stronger community connections and support a greener local economy, the currency has already been accepted by First bus, Good Energy and Bristol City Council for Council Tax. Now customers will be able to use Bristol Pounds at the station’s ticket offices since this past Tuesday 14 July.
Station Manager Mike Holmes explains:
“Dedicated to supporting the communities we serve, when I heard about the Bristol Pound I wanted to get on board – and to help focus peoples’ minds on all things local. The Great Western mainline was built not only to connect London to Bristol, but to transport the goods arriving from America at Bristol harbour to the capital and beyond. As we continue to build a greater west, we are know that Bristol’s influence as a key economic player and as city of culture and creativity will continue to grow.”
People in the city can open accounts held with Bristol Credit Union, and then withdraw Bristol Pounds at selected cash points across the city.
They can also use their mobile phone, or go online to pay for goods or services at hundreds of Bristol locations. The ticket office at Bristol Temple Meads is currently accepting Bristol Pound notes.
Michael Lloyd-Jones, Core Scheme Manager of the Bristol Pound said: “Almost three years since the Bristol Pound was launched, we’re delighted that First Great Western are now accepting Bristol Pounds at Temple Meads station. It’s another big milestone for the £B scheme in our year as European Green Capital.”
You can spend Bristol Pounds at every participating business using either paper Bristol Pounds (in £B1, £B5, £B10 and £B20 denominations), from a Bristol Pound account with any mobile phone by using a txt2pay system, or over the internet.
Find out more about the European Green Capital events, including those relating to architecture, culture and energy
Find out more about the Bristol Pound
A database of ‘local currencies’ throughout the UK
