A SUBWAY customer has been left angered over a store’s refusal to accept Scottish banknotes.

Don Richardson, who hails from Aberdeen, spotted a notice placed in a branch of the sandwich chain at Birchwood Shopping Centre stating that it would no longer accept the cash.

The note said: "Due to the rise of fake bank notes in circulation, we are no longer able to accept any £50 notes or any type of Scottish or Irish notes.

"This is company policy, please do not be offended."

But Mr Richardson, who has lived south of the border for 26 years, believes the policy smacks of ‘an anti-Scotland stance’.

He said: "When it's a national network like this, which has sales in Scotland and plenty of stores in Scotland, it feels like an anti-Scotland stance.

"In 26 years of living in England, I have only had Scottish money rejected twice – and both of those were in small shops."

Subway, which has around 50 stores in Scotland, said it had no policy on the issue – but franchise outlets are allowed to refuse Scottish banknotes ‘at their discretion’.

Scottish banknotes are legal currency in the UK but not legal tender, and no retailer has to accept any form of payment.

Experts claim many businesses in England and Wales are unfamiliar with Scottish notes and unsure how to spot fakes, with some opting for blanket bans in response.

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A Subway spokesman said: "Every Subway store is owned and operated independently and, as such, acceptance of Scottish bank notes is down to the relevant franchise owner.

"We do not have a policy on this that franchise owners are required to follow – we have asked the franchise owner to amend the notice to ensure that it is clear that this is not a Subway policy."