Thu, 03 Jul 2025

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 Your new banknote ideas - from British Bulldogs to Fawlty Towers

The Bank of England wants views on themes for its next series of banknotes, and BBC readers are full of ideas.
Historical figures are still a popular choice, with William Shakespeare being a strong contender for the new designs. However, some people are suggesting alternative themes such as architecture, innovation, or the arts, similar to those used on Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes. Some of the most popular ideas include:
* Celebrating the UK's maritime heritage by featuring iconic ships such as the Mary Rose, HMS Belfast, and Cutty Sark
* Representing different regions and natural beauty spots across the country, including the Yorkshire Dales and the Angel of the North
* Incorporating tourist sites on banknotes to encourage people to visit these places
* Featuring classic British TV characters or nostalgic images from popular shows such as The Bill, Casualty, and Fawlty Towers However, not everyone is in favour of a major redesign. Some have argued that with cash used in only 12% of transactions, the effort involved in changing the design is unnecessary. Others have suggested incorporating mobile phone-inspired designs on banknotes to reflect how people are increasingly using contactless payments. People can submit their views via an online form or by post by the end of July, and the final decision will be made by the Bank's governor.
  >>