Dutch shopkeepers and garage owners have reacted furiously to the European Commission’s demand that they accept €200 and €500 notes, the Telegraaf reports on Wednesday.

Most shops refuse to accept large denominations and have displayed signs stating the fact. But, according to the Telegraaf, Brussels has told retail organisations that all bank notes are legal tender and must be accepted.
‘I am furious about this,’ said Ewout Klok, chairman of the petrol station owner’s association. ‘We do all we can to make sure our personnel are safe, that we do not keep much money in the cash register and now a couple of civil servants have got a bee in their bonnet.’