Eurozone visitors miss 'easy money'

Euros are not yet widely accepted in the UK

In the arrivals lounge at London's Eurostar terminal the bureau de change is doing the usual brisk mid-morning trade.

Acquiring pounds is still a necessity for the passengers arriving from Paris, although a growing number of UK retailers, financial institutions and tourist venues are accepting the euro.

That message appeared not to have filtered through to most of the visitors who spoke to BBC News Online.

Estelle Lafarga changed her euro notes into pounds

Estelle Lafarga from Lyons had just exchanged some of her new euros for pounds.

She said it was a shame the UK had not also become part of the euro zone

"We must change money and it's expensive. It would be much easier to use the euro," Ms Lafarga said.

American Jim Herbert arrived from Paris to spend a few days in London as part of a trip around Europe.

"I didn't bring any euros because I heard you couldn't spend them here.

"But it would make life much easier for travellers like me if Britain used the euro too," Mr Herbert said.

British entry 'inevitable'

Else Dhondt, from Brussels, on holiday with her husband and six-week old baby, said she still had some euros in her purse but did not expect to be able to spend them.

Else Dhondt: "Much better if Britain joined"

"We changed some money into pounds at the bureau de change but it would be better for the UK and us if Britain joined," Ms Dhondt said.

Roland Ducreay from Paris said even though he knew he could not use them in the UK he had brought along some euros because "I had them anyway in my wallet anyway".

Mr Ducreay said he was glad to hear that some places in Britain were accepting the new currency.

And he believed it was inevitable that the UK would also introduce the euro.

"I think in a few years Britain will join and that will make things much easier."

Laurent Jirmonpiz believed Britain would introduce euro

That view was shared by Laurent Jimonpiz from Lille.

"It's a pity not to be able to spend euros in the UK. But it will come in a few years I think - I'm looking forward to that."

Mr Jimonpiz said the introduction of the euro in France had made life a great deal easier for people in his area.

"We live near the border so it's a lot easier for us now with the euro because we can go to Germany and spend euros there too."