The Bank of England would like to remind people that they are withdrawing from circulation the old style £20 note (featuring Sir Edward Elgar) from 30 June this year. The £20 note featuring Adam Smith, first introduced in 2007, will remain in circulation.

The Bank announced the change via a news release on 8 March which was covered widely at the time in the media. The Bank also placed a number of advertisements in the national media in March and more will follow in June. There are now less than 10 weeks to go until the withdrawal of the Bank .

From 30 June the Elgar £20 note is less likely to be accepted in payment, or in  change, in retail outlets. However, for several months after the end of June most banks, building societies and post offices should accept Elgar £20 notes for deposit to customer accounts and for other customer transactions.

Be aware though that, from 30 June, agreeing to exchange Elgar notes is at the discretion of individual institutions. The Bank advises that it will always exchange its old notes; which may be presented for payment either in person or sent by post (at the sender's risk) to:

Dept NEX, Bank of England,
Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH.

The Bank has produced a public information leaflet about the withdrawal, copies of which can be ordered by telephone on 020 7601 4878, via email on enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk or via the banks website www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes