Complaints as shops knock back old £1 coins

SHOPPERS were left furious after having old pound coins rejected a day before they rolled out of circulation.

While some stores will let people continue spending their round pounds for a limited extra period, the coins are no longer legal tender as of today.

But complaints flooded in across social media about companies not accepting the cash ahead of the deadline.

A McDonald’s spokesman admitted a coin in Washington, Sunderland, was rejected erroneously, although repeated reports suggested the issue was more widespread across the chain.

And Aldi, which has extended the deadline, also said that staff at their store had made a mistake by refusing to accept the coins.

It is thought that around 400 to 450 million old round coins are still lying around in wallets, pockets and piggy banks up and down the country, with people returning old pound coins at a rate of up to 60 million per week.

Iceland, Tesco, Aldi, Poundland and Greggs have all announced they will extend the deadline for accepting the old coin.

Banks and building societies have also said they will continue to accept deposits for the round pound. NatWest said it has seen a rush of people off-loading their old pounds.