The PayPoint row has escalated with a number of retailers having their accounts suspended for switching off their terminals.

Some retailers took collective action on 15 May in protest at the move to reduce caps on commission. Harj Dhasee, of Nisa Mickleton, Gloucestershire, who switched off his terminal on two separate four-day stretches, has now had his account suspended by PayPoint.

Harj said PayPoint would only switch the terminal on if he agreed to sign a letter saying he was in breach of contract and took down a poster explaining his actions. He is currently undecided about what action to take.

Roger Westrope, of North Street Garages in Haverhill, Suffolk, said PayPoint suspended his terminal for just “thinking about” switching it off. “I told them that I planned to switch it off on Friday, but didn’t even get a chance as they got there first. I have to sign a contract that I won’t do it in the future, but I’m not sure if I want to.”

Another retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, said his customers’ response to switching off his terminal on May 15 was “absolutely brilliant”. “A few had stiff words to say about low or practically no commission,” he added. He is still to hear from PayPoint.

But Shahid Razzaq, of Mo’s Premier in Blantyre, said it was counterproductive to switch off the terminal as it would only affect his customers rather than PayPoint. “Instead, I am having posters printed to explain the situation and hopefully embarrass PayPoint. We will encourage people to make other purchases without forcing them to,” he said.

Meanwhile, PayPoint UK managing director Seamus Smith is to leave the company for a FTSE 100 business, while retail director Andrew Goddard plans to “move on at a later date”.

“Neither of these developments is in any way related our commission policies,” a spokesman said.