Cribbs Causeway shoppers are still throwing thousands of pounds worth of loose change a year into the fountain, despite far fewer people carrying cash. The much-loved attraction, which still pulls in a crowd at The Mall when its water jets shoot into the air, has so far escaped the impact of the move towards a cashless society.
In 2003 the shopping centre announced that it would be celebrating its fifth birthday by setting up the Fountain Charity Fund, which would support causes using money thrown into the fountain. Sue Boor, who was then the marketing manager at The Mall, told the Bristol Post at the time: "Over the past five years we've collected nearly £40,000 from the fountain.
"Although most of the fund's money will come from what shoppers throw into the fountain, we will add to it throughout the year, for example by selling goody bags at our events. We hope we will have around £15,000 each year to give to local charities, voluntary and community groups." A series of fundraising activities helped to boost the fund's total, and back then around £10,000 a year was collected purely from coins thrown in.
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That figure was reported again in 2008, when shopping centre bosses said they collected enough coins each year to fill four large black domestic wheelie bins. Within a few years of the fund being set up, it was reported that 71 grants totalling £50,000 had been given to local voluntary organisations and charities.
Since then, however, UK shopping habits have changed and most people now pay with their card or even their phone or smart watch. The shopping centre's own website now advises that "some stores are now cashless and are accepting card payments only", meaning fewer people are carrying coins or cash around.
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It's a shift that many who used to rely on loose change have had to adapt to, such as Big Issue sellers using contactless card machines or restaurants and hairdressers introducing a 'tap to tip' system. In 2019 it was reported that Bristol was expected to be among the UK's first cashless cities, as it was where the largest percentage of contactless card payments had been made at the time of the study.
However, walk past the Mall's fountain today and you will still see flashes of bronze and silver catching the light as children gather round to watch the water whoosh into the air. One shopper recently wrote in a Google review: "Good range of eateries and shops, always enjoyed the fountain in the centre of the Mall as its a nice place to sit and eat."
Another agreed: "So much to see and do. Enjoyed a lovely cake and coffee and made a wish at the indoor fountain." The tradition of throwing in a coin is yet to fizzle out, according to the shopping centre's bosses.
They told Bristol Live that contributions to the Fountain Fund have remained consistent since its launch when the centre opened, with around £10,000 per year still raised from these donations. Each year the Cribbs Mall partners with a charity and this year the proceeds will be going to St Peter’s Hospice.
Since the start of the year the centre has also hosted a cycle-a-thon, a World Book Day Exchange and a Red Panda hunt in partnership with Bristol Zoo Project, to raise money for local causes.