How does this work?
Every student and member of staff has an “e-purse”. This can be loaded with money to spend in WestSide Café and Restaurant, in the shop and in any vending machine (except the one by the sports hall).How can I put money into my e-purse?
How can I put money into my e-purse?
- You can top up online using a credit or debit card.
- You can put cash into one of the e-purse Pay Stations under the
main staircases in East Street and West Street.
- These machines accept 50p, £1 and £2 coins, and £5, £10 and £20 notes. They do not accept 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p or 20p coins.
How do I buy things using my e-purse?
- Just touch your ID card onto the card reader on the till or vending machine
where you see this sign.
The cost of your purchases will automatically be debited from your e-purse.
How can I tell how much is in my e-purse?
- You can access your balance via Blackboard whenever you are logged on to any computer in the College (staff can used the staff intranet).
- You can touch your card on one of the four balance readers around the College. They are situated outside WestSide, just inside the Westside Restaurant entrance, at the WestSide café counter and at the Information Centre.
- You can use the Pay Stations – just touch your card and then cancel the top-up process.
- You will see your balance on the tills whenever you make a purchase.
Why do we use this system?
- Faster service – shorter queues.
- Faster service – shorter queues.
- No waiting for change
- No queuing behind slow payers
- Fully itemised statements available at any College computer
- Instant balance checking – no need to count your cash before buying
- No need to carry cash for purchases if you top up online
The system also helps the College to track stock and buying patterns so we can provide a better and more efficient service to customers.
Will I still need cash to buy other things?
Currently, yes. Photocopying and library fines need to be paid in cash. In due course, Exam fees and money for educational visits will be covered by the cashless payment system too.
Can I use coins in the vending machines?
No – these will be cashless too.
What happens if I forget or lose my card?
No money is held on the card- it is stored online in your e-purse. However, you need to take good care of your card. Once you tell us that your card is lost, we can cancel it and give you a new one.
If you get to College and realise you have forgotten your card, we will give you a temporary card for the day. You will be able to use this card to spend money from your e-purse, as well as to swipe into lessons. Your normal card will be deactivated while the temporary card is active.
What happens when I leave?
You need to ensure that you have spent the money in your e-purse before you leave College – residual money left in the e-purse will not normally be refunded.