Images of the UK’s wildlife are to feature on the next series of banknotes following a public consultation run by the Bank of England.
Marking a shift away from historical figures, the consultation saw over 60% of respondents select ‘Nature’ as their preferred theme, with ‘wildlife native to the UK’ emerging as the most popular choice.
Bank of England has also confirmed that the updated notes will incorporate enhanced anti-counterfeiting features.
A second consultation is expected in summer 2026 to determine which specific wildlife will feature on the notes, with the final designs not expected to enter circulation for several years.
James Harris, Managing Director at cash handling experts, Volumatic, said: “Any update to UK banknotes is significant for the retail sector, particularly when it comes to security and day-to-day cash handling.
“The introduction of new designs, alongside enhanced anti-counterfeiting features, is a positive step but it also means retailers will need to ensure their cash handling equipment is fully prepared.
“We will work closely with the Bank of England to ensure our products, including the CCi and our range of CountEasy cash counting scales, are updated in line with the new notes. We will also be supporting our customers throughout the transition, providing guidance and updates to ensure their operations continue to run smoothly when the new banknotes are introduced.”
