Wetherspoons bans customers from playing music and taking calls on speaker

JD Wetherspoon has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speakerphone in its pubs after complaints that amplified noise was driving people “nuts”.

The British pub chain said on Monday that the ban had been introduced across its 792 pubs, describing noise from smartphones and tablets as an “increasing problem in recent years”.

JD Wetherspoon has 57 pubs in Scotland, with its first one – The Counting House in Glasgow – opening in 1996.

In a statement, the company said: “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.”

Wetherspoon chairman and founder Sir Tim Martin said the policy was intended to preserve the quieter atmosphere of its pubs.

“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 ban comes amid wider debate over people playing music and other audio aloud in public places.

The Liberal Democrats have previously called for fines of up to £1,000 for “headphone dodgers” who play music out loud on buses and trains.

A YouGov poll published in 2025 found that 62% of people supported the proposed fines, while 28% opposed them.

The survey of 6,815 British adults found that almost three-quarters of pensioners backed the measure. Among people aged 18 to 24, support was narrower, with 47% in favour and 43% opposed.