Historic tourist attraction loses $170K worth of donations after going cashless
How did the cash ban impact the structure of the Roman Baths?
The cash ban at the Roman Baths aimed to reduce damage to the 2,000-year-old structure caused by coins being thrown into the water. The practice had led to water damage and the decline in cash usage post-pandemic further supported the decision to switch to contactless donations.
Why did the Roman Baths ban cash donations?
The Roman Baths banned cash donations due to a "notable decline in the use of cash" since the pandemic and concerns that coin-throwing had "begun to damage the 2000-year-old structure." The process to collect coins was also time-consuming and wasted water, with some coins being "garbled" and unable to be banked.
How much did the Roman Baths lose in donations post-ban?
The Roman Baths lost £90,000 ($170,000) in donations after banning cash and implementing contactless payments at the wishing well2. The decision was made due to a decline in cash usage post-pandemic and concerns over structural damage caused by coin-throwing. However, this move resulted in a significant drop in donations, with only £10,812 and £9,490 collected in the following years.