Bank of England banknote redesign draws creative ideas from public
Bank of England banknote redesign has captured public imagination in a way few might have expected. When the Bank invited suggestions for new themes ahead of the first major update in 50 years, the response rolled in, not just from older cash‑using Brits but in surprising numbers from younger people more accustomed to contactless and mobile payments. Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier, commented that “many thousands of responses” arrived, with “lots of interest and engagement from young people too”, showing how banknotes still resonate as symbols of national identity and culture.
Submissions embraced familiar landmarks and icons such as the Angel of the North, the Sycamore Gap ‘Robin Hood’ tree, or local wildlife like dolphins, echoing how designs in Scotland and Northern Ireland already celebrate nature and heritage. Others touched on history, innovation or folklore, suggesting everything from engineering achievements to the stories of transport, literature and food traditions. The Bank had proposed six themes including nature, culture, architecture and innovation, but the public response broadened the conversation to include myths, historical moments and new creative direction.
Though figures such as Sir Winston Churchill have long appeared on banknotes, the monarch on the front since 1960 and Shakespeare or other historical characters on the reverse, the Bank now considers whether moving to broader themes might feel more inclusive. The final decisions, however, rest with Governor Andrew Bailey and the Bank’s leadership. The new notes are set to retain the monarch’s portrait but may feature other subjects reflecting UK heritage in different ways.
For those interested in how the consultation was run and what kinds of designs were submitted, the Bank of England’s official site provides more detail, including images of submissions and explanations of the themes being considered.
The Bank’s appeal closed at the end of July, and the next steps will involve shortlisting designs before announcing the final series. Londoners who still occasionally carry cash, or even those who don’t, but feel a connection with national symbols, will find this evolution of our banknotes a fascinating modernisation of familiar everyday objects. For culture, history, design or simplicity lovers alike, the banknote redesign conversation reflects questions about what we value and how we see our country represented.
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