IT was as if we were trying to pay with a fistful of Mongolian tugriks or a wad of Swaziland lilangeni. But these notes were not from some far-flung corner of the world: they were euros, the currency of 12 of Britain's closest neighbours and trading partners.

Staff at many York shops simply refused to take our euro notes. These were not small, independent retailers either, but the big High Street names: WH Smith, Woolworth, HMV.

Well done to those outlets who said they would happily accept the new currency, including British Home Stores, Virgin and the American-owned Borders. They demonstrated an admirable grasp of the first rule of business: adapt to survive.

For the rest, our consumer test should act as a New Year alarm call.

This is not about politics, but economics. It matters not a jot whether you are an ardent Europhile desperate to have euros in your pocket, or a steadfast Eurosceptic who has vowed to never surrender the pound.

Whether Britain joins or not, the euro is here, and here to stay. Citizens of the 12 countries involved will soon become used to travelling around Europe and paying for their goods and services with the single currency. This country must make the euro welcome or miss out.

That is why the lacklustre response to the new currency in York is disappointing. This is a tourist city. So much of tourism is now about shopping. If most of our retailers do not accept euros, and most in Leeds do, we could sacrifice a significant slice of tourist revenue.

Admittedly, our survey came only a day after the euro's launch, although business has had a year to prepare. So we hope more shops will begin to accept euros soon. All it takes is some staff training, the daily currency rate and a calculator.

Shopkeepers are usually more than happy to take our money off us. Their reluctance to accept euro notes could be a costly error.

Updated: 10:31 Thursday, January 03, 2002