Historical figures and national symbols have been the most popular suggestions, following a pattern that has been seen on Bank of England notes since 1970. But the thought of changing the design to include themes other than famous people has spawned new ideas. Victoria Cleland, Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, said that future £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes might either have famous historical personalities on them or have completely new themes, like the banknotes that are used in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

People have a month to send in their ideas. They can choose from subjects like architecture, innovation, the arts, and nature. As predicted, the Bank of England hasn’t said how many responses there were yet, but it’s evident that a lot of people are interested in the idea.

Could British Landmarks and Maritime Heritage Be Included?

A lot of the contributions have been about celebrating the UK’s maritime history. Some people have suggested that famous ships like the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, and the Cutty Sark should be included in the design of future banknotes. People like Hilary from London have referred to ships like the HMS Belfast and SS Great Britain as instances of British maritime history that should be remembered.

Charles from Bristol took the idea a step further and said that not just famous ships should be included, but also ships that helped British trade, or oil rig support ships that worked in the North Sea. His notion shows how much people want the UK’s maritime history to include everyone and everything, from the country’s past power to its modern-day industrial successes.

Also, ideas for banknotes that reflect different sections of the country, like the Angel of the North and the beautiful landscapes of Yorkshire, show a growing demand for national symbols that represent different places. These ideas fit with the current focuonin having more regional representation. Here is the link to our article on Billionaire Political Shift

How could British TV and memories affect the designs?

Another important topic in the redesign plans is nostalgia. Many people suggested famous British TV shows and personalities as examples of this. Steve from Cardiff, for instance, suggested that popular kids’ TV characters like Bagpuss and Willow the Wisp should be included. A lot of other people agreed, saying they wanted to see references to old shows like Fawlty Towers, Casualty, and The Bill in the notes.

The UK has a strong connection to its TV heritage, which might make these kinds of things extra relevant. This is especially true since TV has had such a big impact on British culture. This nostalgic attitude goes beyond TV; people are also asking for the UK’s railway history to be included, especially since this year marks the 200th anniversary of the railways. A lot of people who answered said that it’s important to remember that Britain was the first country to build railways around the world, as Ian in Derby said.

Is it time to stop talking about historical figures?

Even if there are a lot of inventive ideas, there is still a strong drive to keep honouring important people from history on the nation’s banknotes. For example, Elizabeth from Oxford suggested that Princess Diana, who is still a beloved figure in British history, may be used in future designs. Since the Bank started making the present note designs, they have included famous historical characters like William Shakespeare and other well-known leaders.

But not everyone thinks that historical individuals should be the main focus of the new notes. Ian from Leighton Buzzard was one of the people who suggested a modern twist: making the notes look like a cell phone. This proposal is in line with the rise of digital payments and the country’s move towards a cashless society, as cash transactions now make up only 12% of all payments. Here is the link to our article on Interest Rates Unchanged

Should the redesign be based on old or new ideas?

People in the UK want to honour the country’s rich history and culture, but they also want the country’s currency to show what the future will be like. Some others say that the redesign of the banknotes may not even be needed because fewer people use cash as the UK moves towards a more digital economy. Dawn from Redditch said that if cash keeps going down in use, the necessity for a comprehensive makeover could seem unnecessary.

The Bank of England is asking for ideas to be sent in through its website or by mail. The deadline for answers is the end of July. The governor of the Bank will make the final decision about what will be on the next series of banknotes when all the submissions have been received.

Final Thoughts: What Will the New Money Stand For?

The fact that people are coming up with new designs for UK banknotes shows how diverse the country’s history and culture are. The suggestions that were sent in show a picture of British society, whether they are about honouring maritime history, remembering old TV shows, or embracing new technologies. The Bank of England’s decision to change the look of the notes is a sign of how things are changing as the country gets more digital. The new set of banknotes will tell a tale about both the past and the future, blending their historical importance with their present identity.