Wetherspoons pubs have banned customers from playing music out loud or taking calls on speaker.
The company - which runs the Glass House in St Helens and the Nine Arches in Newton-le-Willows - announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an “increasing problem in recent years”.
The firm said in a statement: "Following complaints from customers who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones."
Tim Martin, chairman and founder of Wetherspoons, said: "In a world dominated by other people’s music and amplified sound, Wetherspoon pubs are an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation.
"In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down."
The move comes amid wider calls for action against so-called “headphone dodgers,” with the Liberal Democrats previously proposing fines of up to £1,000 for those who play music out loud on public transport.
A YouGov poll last year that spoke to 6,815 British adults suggested 62% of people would back the Lib Dem move, and 28% were opposed.
People praise Wetherspoons ban decision
Taking to the r/AskUK Reddit page, people were happy to see Wetherspoons implement the ban.
One person shared: "Finally somebody has done something about loudspeakers being used on phones.
"Wetherspoons will be banning it, do you agree?"
In response, one said: "Never thought Wetherspoons would be the establishment to start taking a stand for stuff the majority of the public dislike.
"I have to give them my flowers here."
Another wrote: "Totally support
"I can't see how this will divide people.
"How can anyone think speaking to someone on the speaker is not rude?"
Some people doubted how much of an impact it would have, as one commented: "Never seen it happen in a Wetherspoons, so it's not going to make much of a difference."
Another said: "Not sure I’ve ever encountered someone in Spoons using their phone on loudspeaker and I frequent it a lot."
Wetherspoons introduces ban on Meta glasses in its pubs
Alongside banning people from playing music and taking calls on speaker, Wetherspoons has also recently banned Meta Glasses in its pubs.
The devices, which can record video, photos and audio, have raised privacy concerns due to their ability to film without drawing attention.
The ban follows growing reports of people secretly recording strangers and sharing footage online.
Explaining the ban, a JD Wetherspoon spokesperson said: "Like many hospitality companies, Wetherspoon has CCTV cameras for security reasons, but their use is strictly controlled by data legislation.
"Apart from that, the general code that applies in our pubs, and most pubs, is that you can’t film customers or employees without their permission.
"Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance, so our instinct is to say turn off the cameras."
Are you happy to see Wetherspoons introduce a ban on playing music and taking calls on speaker? Let us know in the comments.
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