Cashless Catering & Vending
The College Membership Cards are issued annually at the point of enrolment to students. Staff cards will be issued through HR when new members of staff start.
This is a smart card which has the facility to hold “purses” of money, and initially one of these is to be allocated for use in the College refectories and vending machines. To make purchases in the restaurants and from vending machines you will need to use this card – this is the only way you will be able to buy food and drinks in college.
For visitors to the College, or for students on short courses, cards be obtained, by paying a refundable deposit of £2. Money can then be put onto this card as described below.
Value can be put on the card in cash through “value loader” machines which will be available in the vicinity of the receptions on the Moulsham Street and Princes Road sites. However the easiest way to load money onto your card will be over the web, using a debit/credit card – to make such payments then follow the secure link from the College website at www.chelmsford.ac.uk. To register to use your card, you will need your student number (printed on card) or staff number (printed on payslip) and your date of birth. The website also includes a list of some other FAQ’s that we have anticipated.
Please note that if problems relate to the non operation of hardware items then such faults should be reported to the IT Help Desk. If the problem is one of value not appearing on an individual’s card, then this should be reported to the Finance Office (with forms available at reception).
Cashless catering is beneficial in that it:
- Eliminates the need to bring cash on site
- Speeds Restaurant queues at peak times
- Improves health and hygiene by removing cash handling from catering routines
- Enables a more responsive customer focussed food and drink offer, complete with the opportunity to deliver special offers.
It is hoped that you will show your support for this change by utilising the catering facilities more frequently!

