‘Can’t enjoy your pint’: Wetherspoons customers welcome ban on loud phones

Customers at two Wetherspoons pubs in London have welcomed the chain's new ban on playing loud music or taking calls on speaker. The terrace of the Moon Under Water pub in Leicester Square was seen as a quiet haven, free from TikTok videos and obnoxious phone conversations. Tim Martin, the owner of Wetherspoons, announced the ban across all 792 of the company's pubs, citing the growing issue of amplified sound from smartphones and tablets.

Customers Gary and Mark, who were enjoying their pints, both agreed that loud phone calls and videos should be banned, as they disrupt the atmosphere and annoy other patrons. Abdslam Elidrisi, a 65-year-old cigar smoker, also supported the move, emphasizing that music should remain a personal choice. The company's decision comes as it has been cracking down on other modern behaviors, such as banning Meta's "spy glasses" for discreetly filming inside pubs.

While many customers appreciate the ban, some still encounter it when visiting Wetherspoons, such as Mel Burton, who recently experienced a loud speakerphone call at the Montagu Pyke Wetherspoons. Despite the ban, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been advocating for using headphones to play music on public transport.