Editing PayPoint (section)

==History==

The PayPoint network was set up in 1996<ref name="britishgas.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.britishgas.co.uk/youraccount/discover/home-energy-top-up-service.html|title=Home Energy Top Up|publisher=British Gas|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> with the aim of enabling customers to load gas and electricity onto their pre-paid energy meters in cash at their local convenience store. Prepayment meters are intended to help customers to manage energy use, thereby helping the environment, and control their spending, thereby enabling to live within their limited means.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/pay-as-you-go|title=Keep track of what you use and spend if you have a prepayment meter|work=EDF |publisher=EDF Energy|access-date=15 February 2017}}</ref> Typically about 40% of customers use prepayment meters for their electricity and gas: this percentage has remained roughly constant over the last five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/chart/proportion-customers-repaying-debt-their-supplier-using-ppm|title=The proportion of customers repaying a debt to their supplier using prepayment meters|publisher=Ofgem|access-date=15 February 2017}}</ref> First tested in [[Northern Ireland]], the system was expanded to [[London]] in 1997 and in 1998, [[British Gas]] prepayment meter customers were able to charge their Quantum smart cards at PayPoint retailers.<ref name="britishgas.co.uk"/>

Following continued growth and public listing, in 2006, the company became the exclusive cash payment network for the BBC's [[Television licence|TV Licence]] fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/03_march/31/tvl.shtml|title= BBC appoints PayPoint for 'over-the-counter' contract|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In November 2006 and February 2007, PayPoint acquired [[online payment]] service providers Metacharge and SECPay respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.24dash.com/news/Central_Government/2007-02-26-PayPoint-acquires-SECPay-Limited|title=PayPoint acquires SECPay Limited|publisher=24 Dash|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In September 2010, PayPoint completed the acquisition of Verrus,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/news-and-market-deals/mergers-and-acquisitions/1203663/paypoint-buys-verrus-.thtml|title=PayPoint buys Verrus   |date=5 March 2010 |publisher=Growth Business|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> a pay-by-phone parking payment provider and re-branded in [[North America]] and [[Europe]] under the brand name, PayByPhone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parkingtoday.com/webinars/18_presentation.pdf|title=Presentation|publisher=Parking Today|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In May 2014, PayPoint.net and PayByPhone were merged under a single identity, PayPoint Mobile and Online.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://inpublic.globenewswire.com/2014/05/20/PayPoint+plc+PayPoint+reveals+plans+for+multi+channel+future+with+merged+mobile+and+online+business+and+new+group+brand+HUG1787186.html|title=PayPoint reveals plans for multi-channel future with merged mobile and online business and new group brand|publisher=GlobeNewswire|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>

In March 2024, PayPoint partnered with Lloyds Bank.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-03-20 |title=Paypoint and Lloyds Banking Group extend cards partnership agreement |url=https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1710924250656249400/http%3a%2f%2fwww.morningstar.co.uk%2fvirtual%2fSolrNews%2fAllianceNews.aspx%3fSite%3duk%26DocId%3dAN_1710924250656249400 |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=MorningstarUK |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was announced that Lloyds Bank would be the main card acquiring partner for PayPoint.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=20 March 2024 |title=Lloyds Bank, PayPoint strike cards partnership |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/lloyds-bank-paypoint-strike-cards-partnership-2024-03-20/ |access-date=2 April 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref name=":1" />