Unfortunately shops/banks and the like have the right to reject this sort of thing I think but the law might have changed since I last looked.
No, that link outlines what rights you have. They *have* to accept:
£5 (Crown) - for any amount
£2 - for any amount
£1 - for any amount
50p - for any amount not exceeding £10
25p (Crown) - for any amount not exceeding £10
20p - for any amount not exceeding £10
10p - for any amount not exceeding £5
5p - for any amount not exceeding £5
2p - for any amount not exceeding 20p
1p - for any amount not exceeding 20p
If you offer to settle a debt by the above divisions then a court of law would rule that you had offered a reasonable settlement. This law came about because people used to pay with small change for the lulz. An acquaintance of mine did it in the 1980s, he bought a brand new Range Rover with buckets full of £1 coins.
Thanks salty. I know I can settle any debt with the minimum of £1 up to any value but it is only a small debt and I want to just wind the guy up. Could you read my OP and see what you think?
Yes if they don't accept your remittance offered in £1 coins + the rest of the change allowed, and subsequently take you to small claims court to get the money off you, the court would be satisfied that you had offered to settle the debt using legal tender and that they had refused it. If you try to give them 1p, 2p, 5p etc. coins only, you'll get a rollocking.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/shortcuts/2012/may/15/what-can-you-buy-just-with-1p-and-2p