Your banknote redesign ideas – from British Bulldogs to mobile phones

Kevin PeacheyCost of dwelling correspondentJulieDudley the canine is unlikely to function, however animals are a well-liked suggestionWhile money may not be as widespread because it as soon as was, the chance to style the following collection of banknotes has acquired brains whirring and tails wagging.Inside a day of reporting on the Financial institution of England’s public invitation to affect a serious redesign of banknotes, there have been greater than 2,000 responses to Your Voice, Your BBC on the problem.Dudley the British Bulldog, pictured on Cawsand Seaside in Cornwall, can be one of many least possible contenders, regardless of being described as a “nationwide treasure” by his proprietor Julie, from Plymouth.However animals and nature, in addition to railways and TV nostalgia have featured strongly among the many concepts. Photos of historic characters, beginning with William Shakespeare, have featured on Financial institution of England notes since 1970.Now, the Financial institution’s chief cashier Victoria Cleland has prompt photographs on the following set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes may persist with notable figures of the previous or transfer on to a brand new theme, as is seen on banknotes issued in Scotland, Nothern Eire and around the globe.The Financial institution is giving folks a month to pick out from sure themes, equivalent to structure, innovation or the humanities, or recommend their very own matters.The Financial institution has not commented on the variety of entries to this point, however – if responses to the BBC are something to go by – they’re more likely to be inundated.Nice shipsGetty ImagesThe SS Nice Britain in Bristol is among the many maritime suggestionsAmong the themes to be prompt was a celebration of the UK’s maritime heritage.The Mary Rose, HMS Belfast, HMS Trincomalee, HMS Victory, Cutty Sark, and the SS Nice Britain are all worthy of a spot on a banknote, in response to Hilary in London.Charles from Bristol goes additional. “I do not simply imply the spectacularly lovely clipper ships, and immediately recognisable liners, however maybe a number of the lesser identified vessels buying and selling with Commonwealth nations, or oil rig help vessels working onerous within the North Sea,” he wrote.Well-known landmarksStonehenge is all the time a well-liked suggestion for one thing that represents BritainThere are appeals for the themes and decisions to characterize the entire of the nation.The Angel of the North is a daily suggestion, and areas of pure magnificence such because the Yorkshire Dales.Mike in Salisbury thinks utilizing vacationer websites on banknotes may carry advantages.”Vacationers come to England to see the principle websites equivalent to Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, the Queen Elizabeth Tower and so on,” he says.”If the banknotes confirmed these photos then they’d be extra more likely to go to the location, maintain one up when taking a photograph, and possibly even taking the notice dwelling as a memento.”Basic TV charactersClassic sitcoms like Fawlty Towers could be a well-liked choiceNostalgia options closely, bringing a newer historic outlook to notes which have carried photographs of individuals from the previous for greater than 50 years.”Some traditional British youngsters’s TV characters like Willow The Wisp, Bagpuss, or perhaps a assortment of them would make me smile,” says Steve in Cardiff. “Likewise I believe some traditional British TV might be represented, like The Invoice – no pun meant – or Casualty, cleaning soap operas and even comedies like Fawlty Towers. Tv has been a big a part of life for many individuals rising up and I am certain, folks would recognize a little bit of nostalgia on the notes.”Classic trainsSSPL/Getty ImagesMany folks want to see British railways and classic trains just like the British Pullman celebratedNostalgia for the railways and “native and significant” stations additionally options in responses.”With the 200 years of the railway in Britain being celebrated, it appears a disgrace to not rejoice that contemplating we gave railways to the world,” says Ian in Derby.A cell phone?Getty ImagesDespite the wide selection of choices, some individuals are eager to stay to the best way key figures in historical past are honoured on banknotes.”Having checked out all of the choices I actually do assume that historic figures ought to nonetheless be primary alternative. May it’s doable to incorporate Diana Princess of Wales someplace?” asks Elizabeth, from Oxford.However with money utilized in solely 12% of transactions, some say the effort and time concerned in an enormous overhaul of notes is pointless. “We’re sadly confronted with the prospect of a cashless society, with so many locations refusing to just accept my money, so I’ve to marvel, why hassle altering the design?” says Daybreak in Redditch.Ian in Leighton Buzzard is way more blunt. “I might recommend that the brand new banknotes appear to be a cell phone as a result of that’s how individuals are used to paying,” he says.Folks can submit their views by way of a web-based kind on the Financial institution’s web site, or by put up, by the top of July.The ultimate resolution on what precisely options on a banknote lies with the Financial institution’s governor.Extra reporting by Bernadette McCague