If you need British pounds for a trip to the UK, or you came home with leftover pound notes, you can buy or sell GBP cash in person at FonderX in New Westminster. As of Wednesday October 28, 2026 at 11:58 AM Pacific, we sell pounds at 1.9063 CAD each and buy them back at 1.8424 CAD each. Rates change through the day, so check today's rates before you come in.
This guide covers what the pound is, who usually needs it, how our two rates work in real dollars, and what to bring to the counter.
What the British pound is
The British pound, or pound sterling, uses the currency code GBP and the symbol £. It is the currency of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. One pound is divided into 100 pence.
Bank of England notes come in £5, £10, £20 and £50. The current notes are made of polymer, a thin plastic that holds up well in a wallet. Older paper notes have been withdrawn from use in the UK, so if you have some sitting in a drawer from an old trip, give us a call before you come in and we can tell you what we are able to take.
Who usually needs British pounds
Most people who come to us for pounds fall into a few groups:
- Travellers heading to London, Edinburgh, Manchester or anywhere else in the UK who want some cash on hand when they land.
- Students and families visiting relatives in the UK.
- People coming back from the UK with notes they no longer need.
- Newcomers from the UK who arrived in Greater Vancouver with savings in pound notes and want Canadian dollars.
Cards are widely used in the UK, but many travellers still like to carry some cash for small purchases, tips, markets and the first day of a trip before they find their bearings.
How our We Buy and We Sell rates work for GBP
Our rate board shows two numbers for every currency. Both are in Canadian dollars per one pound.
- We Sell is what you pay us when you buy pounds from FonderX.
- We Buy is what we pay you when you sell pounds to FonderX.
Here is what those rates meant in real dollars on Wednesday October 28, 2026 at 11:58 AM Pacific:
| Pounds | You buy GBP from us (pay CAD) | You sell GBP to us (receive CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| £100 | $190.63 | $184.24 |
| £250 | $476.58 | $460.60 |
| £500 | $953.15 | $921.20 |
| £1,000 | $1,906.30 | $1,842.40 |
The gap between the two rates is the spread. On these rates it works out to about 6.4 cents per pound. These numbers are only a snapshot. Rates move through the day as world markets move, so the live rate board is the place to check before your visit.
If you work as a paramedic, firefighter, police officer, 911 dispatcher, nurse, ER doctor or teacher, ask about our Frontline Heroes Rate and bring your work ID.
Buying pounds before a UK trip
A little planning makes the counter visit quick. Decide roughly how much cash you want before you come in, and bring Canadian banknotes to cover it, since we do not take cards, e-transfers or cheques.
It also helps to ask for a mix of note sizes. Smaller notes like £10 and £20 are easier to spend on coffee, transit and small shops, while a few larger notes keep your wallet thin. Let us know what mix you prefer and we will do our best with what we have in stock.
If you want a larger amount, call ahead at (778) 759-0400. We like to have the notes ready for you rather than having you wait or make a second trip.
Selling leftover pounds after you come home
Coming home with a handful of £20 notes is common. Instead of leaving them in a drawer until your next trip, you can sell them to us for Canadian dollars at our We Buy rate.
Notes in good condition are easiest to handle. If any of your notes are torn, heavily marked or from an older series, call first and ask.
The same applies if you moved to Greater Vancouver from the UK and want to change pound savings you brought with you in cash. For larger amounts, a quick call ahead helps us have enough Canadian dollars on hand.
What to bring to the counter
- Valid government photo ID, such as a driver's licence or passport. This is required for every exchange.
- Cash only: Canadian dollars to buy pounds, or pound banknotes to sell.
- A rough idea of the amount and the note sizes you want.
- For larger amounts, a phone call to us beforehand.
FonderX is a FINTRAC-registered money services business (MSB registration N300001076), so asking for ID is part of how we follow Canadian rules for every customer.
Visit FonderX
FonderX Currency Exchange is at Unit 2, 723 12th Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 4J8, and serves customers from New Westminster, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and across Greater Vancouver. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed Saturdays, Sundays and BC statutory holidays.
We are cash only, and you will need valid government photo ID. Check today's rates before you come, or see our contact and hours page and call (778) 759-0400 for larger amounts.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy British pounds in New Westminster?
FonderX Currency Exchange at Unit 2, 723 12th Street in New Westminster buys and sells British pound cash in person, Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Bring Canadian cash and valid government photo ID.
Can I sell leftover British pounds for Canadian dollars?
Yes. FonderX buys British pound banknotes and pays you in Canadian dollars at our We Buy rate. Bring valid government photo ID, and call ahead for larger amounts.
What is the difference between the We Buy and We Sell rate?
We Sell is the price in Canadian dollars you pay us for one pound, and We Buy is what we pay you for one pound when you sell it to us. Both are shown on our live rate board.
Do I need to call ahead to buy pounds?
For everyday amounts you can just walk in. For larger amounts, call (778) 759-0400 first so we can have the notes ready for you.
