Wetherspoons issues surprising ban to keep pubs ‘oasis of tranquillity’

Quite the move that

The ban, as the British chain very recently announced, was introduced across its 792 pubs.

JD Wetherspoon said that sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an “increasing problem in recent years”.

“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”, the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the chain’s chairman and founder, Sir Tim Martin, 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.”

Previously, the Liberal Democrats have called for fines of up to £1,000 for “headphone dodgers”.

These are the people who play music out loud on buses and trains.

A majority of Brits backs the move, a poll has shown

Last year, a YouGov poll found that 62% of people would back the move, with 28% saying they would oppose the Lib Dems’ proposed fines.

Some 6,815 British adults were surveyed in the poll, which found almost three-quarters of pensioners would support the fines.

Meanwhile, those those aged between 18 and 24 were split 47-43 in favour.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan last year rolled out a campaign which encouraged people to use headphones when playing music on the city’s transport network.

Wetherspoon opened its first pub in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1979, and it was first called Martin’s Free House before being renamed to Wetherspoons the following year.