MR KENNETH Warren (The Argus, September 13) laments the move to a cashless environment at the American Express Community Stadium, although he freely admits that for the vast majority of fans a cashless society holds no fears. I would hope that Mr Warren has no need to fear it either.

Mr Warren suggests the football club should listen to its fans. We have. A faster, more efficient concourse service has been asked for. A cashless stadium will significantly help us to meet this request.

He also wishes for his 70 years of football experience, and that of other fans, to be tapped in to. It already is – through surveys, fans’ forums, and daily dialogue with hundreds of supporters.

Mr Warren is also worried about his privacy in a cashless environment (but later argues for a pre-loaded BHA card for use on the concourse and in our shop which would store even more data on his purchases).

Either way, he need not be worried.

Data protection laws already ensure details of any of his purchases will remain confidential and not sold on. A cashless stadium doesn’t change this.

Likewise, a cashless stadium will not force people to carry a wallet if they do not wish to do so or if it makes them feel more vulnerable.

With extensive CCTV and security staff, we’ve never had an issue with pickpockets at the stadium, and there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to suggest that someone carrying a debit card is any more vulnerable than someone carrying a bundle of cash.

Another concern for Mr Warren is young people. However, such is the prevalence of cashless environments elsewhere, many young people are already carrying their own debit or pre-paid cards.

The club introduced its own card with a pre-loading facility when the stadium opened in 2011 and, again listening to the majority of our fans who didn’t use it, we abandoned it several seasons later.

Finally, Mr Warren suggests we should have dedicated card payment queues. We do. That we should already know what people wish to buy. We do.

And Mr Warren would rather we didn’t use young people to serve in our concessions at half-time.

Well, our young staff, many in their first ever job, do an excellent job at all times, including half-time when demand is often at its peak.

In summary, moving to a cashless stadium is designed to make our football club more efficient.

It will help us keep our costs down and will ensure we can do the same for our supporters.

Football clubs, like all other businesses, must move with the times and adapt to changing demands.

By his own admission, Mr Warren is set in his ways. Our football club cannot afford to be.

Paul Barber,

Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman,

Brighton and Hove Albion