A decision to make a café and kiosk at a country park cashless has sparked anger among customers.

The Cedar Rooms and Chapel Kiosk at Royal Victoria Country Park will now only accept card and contactless payments.

Coming into force from February 3, the park wants to ensure “safer and more efficient” transactions.

But the decision has been slammed by those who visit the park in Netley.

One person said they “hate this move to a cashless society”, adding: “If I can’t choose to pay by cash I stop using the facility. I use cards when it suits me but I hate being dictated to.”

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Another commenter said: “You have to allow people to use cash. This is a big mistake.

“We don’t want this; we should always have the option to pay cash. So disappointing.”

Others said they will no longer visit the park, while some said: “Where has inclusivity gone?”

The park is managed and maintained by Hampshire County Council.

A spokesperson said: “From February 3rd, 2025, the Cedar Rooms Dine In, On the Go and Chapel Kiosk will be accepting card and contactless payments only.

“As more of our customers choose to go cashless, we join with other Hampshire Country Parks in this transition to safer and more efficient cashless transactions.

“The move to cashless payment at Royal Victoria Country Park’s Cedar Rooms and Chapel Kiosk is in line with Hampshire County Council’s drive to reduce operational costs and will enable payments to be taken in a safer, more efficient way as well as avoid the need to keep cash on site.