More than 24,000 people have signed two petitions calling for Birds bakery to accept cash and reinstate an employee who was sacked after breaching company policy.
The bakery chain defended its actions despite widespread backlash over the sacking of manager Megan Metcalfe, who was dismissed from the Radcliffe-on-Trent store after more than 40 years for allowing elderly customers who didn't have a card to pay by cash.
To make sure they didn't leave empty-handed, she would ask them to put the money straight into her purse and then put the payment through on her card before showing them the receipt.
Nottinghamshire Live also reported that a 94-year-old customer who wanted to buy bread from the Bulwell branch had to leave empty-handed because she only had cash.
The chain deleted its social media accounts following the uproar that resulted.
Hearing of the plight of some customers and Megan's dismissal, Katherine Clarke of The Meadows set up a petition on Change.org which has since received more than 10,000 signatures.
The 34-year-old told Nottinghamshire Live: "It was unfathomable what happened to Megan. There's been so much anger about it with comments being put everywhere. She was trying to help customers.
"This situation should never have happened.
"Many elderly people don't have a card and only use cash - it's what they know. So many businesses are accepting cash still and this should be the same."
A separate petition was also set up calling for Megan to be given her job back, stating she was "sacked for being kind".
The petition has so far gained more than 14,000 signatures.
Birds bakery previously said it was "with regret" that they had to dismiss Megan because of her actions.
The company previously said it is "sorry that so many people are upset about Megan Metcalfe’s dismissal from Birds but she contravened our health and safety policy and we took that very seriously."
The statement outlined Megan would not be reinstated.
