Wetherspoons has introduced a ban on customers playing music and taking calls on speaker after complaints the noise was driving customers “nuts.”
The nationwide policy covers all 792 pubs across the UK and aims to reduce noise from smartphones and tablet devices.
Wetherspoon 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.”
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The pub chain said the decision follows growing complaints from customers about loud conversations and videos being played in public areas.
Wetherspoon described the issue as an “increasing problem in recent years” and said the ban was introduced to maintain a quieter environment.
Wetherspoon opened its first pub in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1979.
The company’s Worcestershire locations include The Crown on Crown Passage, Worcester, The Foley Arms Hotel on Worcester Road, Great Malvern and The Old Swanne Inne at 66 High Street, Evesham.
WETHERSPOONS: The Crown in Worcester is one of Wetherspoons’ locations in the county (Image: Newsquest)
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The Liberal Democrats have previously proposed fines of up to £1,000 for “headphone dodgers” who play music out loud on buses and trains.
A YouGov poll in 2025 showed 62 percent of people would support the fines, while 28 percent opposed them.
Almost three-quarters of pensioners backed the idea, while support among 18 to 24-year-olds was split 47 to 43 per cent.
In London, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan rolled out a campaign last year encouraging people to use headphones when playing music on the city’s transport network.
