A decision by two Coventry cafes to only accept card payments has been met with a backlash from customers.

Coventry City Council-owned venues The Park Bistro and The Sundae Club in War Memorial Park opened three months ago after a £400,000 makeover. 

Both are cashless and operator No Ordinary Hospitality Management said this is due to "efficiency and safety".

But Coventry residents have slammed the move, including regular park visitor Craig who says it will put potential customers off.

"People won't use them," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

"A lot of old people are fairly upset about it, kids as well."

While visiting one of the cafes in August, Craig saw a number of children and elderly people not get served due to the policy.

"I don't know where they went. One of them was quite vocal about it," he said.

"We shouldn't be told what we can and can't pay with."

He now takes his children to other outlets when using the park.

Coventry resident Rob Foskett is also avoiding the new cafes because of the policy.

He told the LDRS: "I like to be in control of what cash I have and using it makes you realise what you have.

"Talking to a young lad recently he went away for the weekend and used his card. He was horrified to find out he had spent nearly £500.

"So for me it is not a good thing and I feel many will just go into debt without realising. Cash is easier to control for me."

Rob also pointed out that businesses can lose significant income if their card machines fail and they do not accept other forms of payment.

Facebook threads about the changes have attracted a lot of comments with several branding the changes "ridiculous" and "a joke".

A spokesperson for No Ordinary Hospitality Management, which operates the outlets in the War Memorial Park, said: "We operate a cashless policy across all our public-facing businesses, including Coombe Abbey Park, due to efficiencies and safety, in terms of handling cash.

"People have, by and large, accepted that policy and, if necessary, made adjustments and we appreciate that understanding."