Bank of England to revamp banknotes | EUROtoday

Banknotes issued by the Bank of England are about to get their first main redesign in additional than 50 years.

Notable historic figures, comparable to Sir Winston Churchill on the present fiver, have featured on these banknotes since 1970 however may very well be on the way in which out.

The public are being requested for his or her views on new themes, comparable to nature, innovation, or key occasions in historical past.

It raises the potential for British birds, bridges, or bangers and mash that includes on the subsequent sequence of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.

The monarch has appeared on Bank of England notes since 1960. Images of historic characters, beginning with William Shakespeare, had been first seen on the reverse facet a decade later.

At occasions the alternatives have landed the Bank in sizzling water. The absence of any ladies, other than Queen Elizabeth II, on notes in 2013 prompted an enormous backlash.

Now, the Bank is proposing that designs on the subsequent sequence of notes may transfer on to a brand new theme. While notable historic figures stay an choice, different attainable topic issues prompt by the Bank embrace:

• structure and landmarks, comparable to well-known buildings or castles
• arts, tradition and sport, together with meals, movie and novels
• noteworthy occasions in historical past, which may embrace occasions or actions
• innovation, comparable to know-how or discoveries
• nature, celebrating crops, animals or pure landscapes comparable to rivers or coastal scenes

The public are being invited to provide their views. They may also counsel their very own themes, which can immediate loads of jokes – Notey McNoteface will undoubtedly characteristic – and debate.

“Banknotes are more than just an important means of payment. They serve as a symbolic representation of our collective national identity and an opportunity to celebrate the UK,” mentioned Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier, whose signature seems on notes.

“I am really keen to hear what themes the public would like to see represented.”

Ms Cleland mentioned banknotes had been “little pieces of art in our pocket”, however there have been some further issues over what can go on them, comparable to accessibility and safety features.

She advised the BBC she was “open minded” over what theme ought to be launched, however mentioned persevering with with historic figures was not being dominated out.

However, she was eager to widen the selection, albeit it wanted to be enduring, and never divisive, she mentioned.

Banknotes issued in Scotland and Northern Ireland already carry photos of landmarks and animals comparable to otters. Euro banknotes characteristic architectural types.

Some notes world wide are extremely vibrant.

Bermuda Monetary Authority’s $5 notice gained final yr’s International Bank Note Society’s banknote of the yr award.

It is predominantly pink and carries photos of a blue marlin, dolphins and tuna fish in addition to a profile of King Charles III. The again of the vertically designed notice combines butterflies, flora, Horseshoe Bay, and a ship passing beneath Somerset Bridge.

The Bank of England’s notes have been much less dramatic, that includes summary geometric designs, lions or Britannia in years passed by.

The crop of historic characters on the present sequence of circulating notes, in ascending order of notice worth, are Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing.

This public session pertains to the Bank’s subsequent sequence, which may also proceed to incorporate a picture of the monarch. People can submit their view by way of a web based type on the Bank’s web site, or by put up, by the tip of July.

The ultimate determination on what precisely options on a banknote lies with the Bank’s governor.

More than 4.7 billion Bank of England notes are in circulation, collectively price round £86bn.

Cash use has fallen to 12% of transactions as funds know-how evolves, however the Bank has mentioned it’s dedicated to offering money for many who want to use it.