Timeline 1951–2016
The Access story at a glance. Orange dots mark the turning points; each entry links to the page that tells the full story.
1950s
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1951
The first plastic in Britain
Finders Services issues the first plastic card in the UK, followed by Diners Club in 1962 and American Express in 1963.
History 1966–72 → 1960s
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1966 29 Jun
Barclaycard launches
The first all-purpose credit card scheme operated by a British bank – a licensed version of Bank of America’s BankAmericard.
History 1966–72 → -
1967 8 Nov
Extended credit allowed
Until now Barclaycard balances had to be paid in full. From today, revolving credit and minimum payments arrive.
History 1966–72 → 1970s
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1971 15 Apr
An MP asks questions
An MP writes asking for the planned joint bank card to be referred to the Monopolies Commission – so preparations for Access were already well under way.
History 1966–72 → -
1971 26 Nov
“Access” registered as a trade mark
The brand name is registered almost a year before launch.
History 1966–72 → -
1972 Jun
“£300 million to boost your business”
Pre-launch advertising appeals to shops to accept the new card.
Before Your Flexible Friend → -
1972 23 Oct
Access launches
Lloyds, Midland, National Westminster and Royal Bank of Scotland/Williams & Glyn’s launch Access through The Joint Credit Card Company Limited. “Access takes the waiting out of wanting.”
History 1966–72 → -
1972 17 Nov
Access debated in the Commons
Access credit cards are the subject of a House of Commons debate.
History 1966–72 → -
1973
Harder times – and Eurocard
“Competition and Credit Control” ends and minimum repayments rise from £2 or 5% to £6 or 15%. JCCC also buys a 15% share in Eurocard.
History 1973–77 → -
1974
Access joins Master Charge
Access gains the Master Charge (now Mastercard) payment network, and card numbers move from the 4987 prefix to 5224.
History 1973–77 → -
1977
The calm before the storm
Just one press advert seems to run for most of the year. Something bigger was coming…
History 1973–77 → -
1978
“Your Flexible Friend”
Access and Money arrive, with one of the best-remembered slogans in British advertising.
Your Flexible Friend → -
1979
Flexible Friend reaches television
The first cartoon TV adverts, by Geers Gross and Wyatt Cattaneo, with Money voiced by Peter Hawkins.
Flexible Friend TV Adverts → 1980s
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1981 1 Sep
Sports & Social Club opens
The Access Sports and Social Club opens at 123 Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea.
History 1978–89 → -
1981 7 Sep
Autumn campaign begins
The autumn 1981 TV campaign starts, with press adverts running into November.
Your Flexible Friend → -
1983
Ilford leaves Basildon
Ilford Photographic vacates its Christopher Martin Road site – soon to become the new operational headquarters of Access.
Christopher Martin Road → -
1984 Oct
Access Sales Guide
The latest of the shop-counter sales guides, telling retailers what to check when customers pay by Access.
Access Sales Guides → -
1985 Apr
Retailer Operating Instructions
A booklet for shops accepting Access – which also sets out the rules for using the logo, and the official Access colours.
Retailer Operating Instructions 1985 → -
1986 15 Apr
ACCEPT trade mark registered
The name of the Access electronic payment terminal is registered for computing apparatus.
History 1978–89 → -
1986 Jun
Electronic submission
A new booklet explains how shops can submit sales electronically, using the card’s magnetic stripe.
Electronic Submission Systems → -
1986 1 Oct
ACCEPT registered again
This time for credit card and electronic payment services.
History 1978–89 → -
1987
Three ways to pay
TV adverts make the point that one card is Access, Eurocard and MasterCard.
Other TV Adverts → -
1989
JCCC becomes Signet
The Joint Credit Card Company is renamed Signet Limited as the banks prepare to sell their stakes. ACCEPT reaches 5,562 terminals at 3,662 outlets, only to be shelved the following year.
History 1978–89 → -
1989 29 May
“Access is more flexible”
An advert on the back of the Southend Airshow programme.
After Your Flexible Friend → -
1989
“Does you does or does you don’t?”
Aardman Animations brings the Louis Jordan song to Access adverts.
Does You Does? TV Adverts → 1990s
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1990
Careers at Access
The perks on offer at a sixth-form careers convention: shift allowance, guaranteed bonus and a final salary pension.
Careers Leaflet → -
1992
Essex House refurbishment begins
The Southchurch office is re-clad – work finishes in October 1993.
Essex House → -
1994
Head and Heart
Rather obscure adverts with two new characters, voiced by Richard Wilson and Ade Edmondson.
Other TV Adverts → -
1995
The last Access adverts
Access and Money make their final TV appearances. The Access brand fades from the market in the mid-1990s.
Flexible Friend TV Adverts → 2000s
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2006
Still asking for Access
A Nikon cashback form still offers refunds to “your Visa or Access card”.
Home → -
2008
2010s
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2013
Lloyds leaves Essex House
Lloyds moves its card operations out, first to Chelmsford and then to London.
Essex House → -
2016
Blue dots are milestones of Barclaycard, Access’s great rival. Know a date that should be here? Let us know.