A store belonging to a major coffee chain has prompted outrage online after refusing to accept a Scottish banknote handed over by a customer. 

Costa Coffee are facing calls to boycott their outlets after it was revealed staff were refusing Scots notes south of the Border. 

On Tuesday evening debate was raging on Twitter after website user @ScotsLindaT reported: "My local store in Margate doesn’t accept Scottish money; the manager says it’s because they bank with the Post Office (and I swear she thought it was therefore English)."

A member of Costa's social media team then got in touch with Linda on the site, replying: "Sorry to hear this, I’m afraid our teams are allowed to refuse Scottish notes; this is down to manager’s discretion. Apologies for this.”

This apology proved to be insufficient for many patriotic Scots who launched questions at the brand via social media. 

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Ben Smith asked: “On what basis are they allowed to refuse these notes?”

Another staff member, Lauren, replied: "Hi, Scottish Banknotes are legal currency however, their acceptability as a means of payment is essentially a matter for agreement between the parties involved.

“This is the same with Irish notes and even English bank notes in the UK. It’s managers discretion."

Another staff member corrected Lauren, however. Costa's Adam tweeted: "This is incorrect from my colleague. There’s no policy in place that stops stores from accepting Scottish notes.

"Some stores have been targeted by fake notes so will be accepting on managers' discretion.”

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A number of angered Scottish Costa followers very quickly expressed their disappointment in the company. 

Marion Scott tweeted: “Simple solution. Don’t give @CostaCoffee your money. They don’t deserve patronage from Scots if that’s their policy.”

Phil McMahon added: “Hi Costa Coffee! You have just Losta Customer (regular and Scottish) Bye.”

Lorraine Mollins said: “Ah well no more Costa Coffee for this family, this is down to my discretion.”

Stephen Gilmour posted: “Hi Costa your coffee isn’t really that nice, mix between s***e and raisins would rather boil the kettle at home than pay your lot my well-earned Scottish bank note.”

Jim McElhill tweeted: “Outrageous policy. Managers being given the discretion to discriminate against Scottish banknotes and, in effect, Scottish people. I’ll spend my money elsewhere thanks.”

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