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Wetherspoons customers welcome phone ban
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The gist
Wetherspoons banned loud phone music and speaker calls in UK pubs.
The ban targets noise that drove customers 'nuts', aligning with its no-music ethos.
Background
Wetherspoons, a UK pub chain, has banned customers from playing music out loud or taking calls on speaker after receiving complaints about noise. The chain, which does not play music in its pubs, aims to maintain a quiet atmosphere. The ban follows a stricter policy from rival Sam Smiths, which prohibits all phone and tech use.
How it unfolded
- Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:00Wetherspoons announces the ban, with chairman Sir Tim Martin 'kindly asking phone users to pipe down'.
- Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:00The chain confirms it has received complaints from customers 'being driven nuts by other people's videos and amplified phone conversations'.
- Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:00BBC News reports the ban, noting it follows a stricter policy from rival Sam Smiths.
- Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:00The Guardian reports that customers at two London pubs welcome the ban, with patrons supporting Tim Martin's decision.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Wetherspoons says the ban will be 'greatly welcomed' as few relish a pint against speakerphone calls or loud videos.
- Public
- Customers at two London pubs were all for the ban, saying they can't enjoy their pint with loud phone noise.
- Analysts
- Studies suggest the majority of Britons are annoyed by speakerphone calls and loud phone use in public.