Country after country has eliminated low-value coins in recent years, sending a shiver through the hearts of businesses that depend on them, including the operators of amusement games in Britain’s seaside arcades.
The British Amusement Catering Trade Association, which represents the arcades, issued a warning after the British Treasury told the Royal Mint not to bother making any new 1p and 2p coins because there were already enough on hand, and after the Isle of Man did away with its pennies.
The association warned that eliminating the coins would have a “devastating effect” on seaside economies, especially the arcades.
“Penny falls machines in particular need a steady supply of 2p coins to allow them to operate. The Treasury’s decision will inevitably reduce the amount in circulation. The copper coins are part of the seaside experience with generations enjoying the penny arcades. Our fear is that this move could eventually result in their withdrawal from circulation which would be catastrophic. We urge the Treasury to reconsider.”
