JD Wetherspoons has banned customers from using loudspeakers to make phone calls or play music in all its pubs. 

The new ban applies to all 10 JD Wetherspoons pubs operating in Sheffield.

They are asking customers to either switch their phones to silent or use earphones. 

The decision comes after complaints that amplified sound from phones and tablets has become an increasing issue for the chain. 

On the ban coming to Wetherspoons, Gemma Hickey, AGED 39, from Gleadless said: “I come to Wetherspoons for a meal so I don’t want to be listening to someone on speakerphone, so I’m all for it.”

Shreya Shiju, 18, from Hillsborough said: “I think it could be a good thing depending on who it targets, because it does disturb people around you. I can see why people will appreciate the ban.”

JD Wetherspoons already operates a no music policy to maintain a quiet atmosphere for communication, but has just 44 of its Lloyds’ bars which are permitted to play music at night.

There are no Wetherspoons in Sheffield which play background music inside pubs. 

Trevor Peeley, 74, from Gleadless said: “I think the reason why Wetherspoons sound loud is because they’re always in buildings with high ceilings, so sound does resonate loud. 

“People only have to be talking normally and it does sound loud, so playing loud music and phones makes it even worse. I think it’s a good idea.”

In a statement to the BBC Tim Martin, Chair and founder of Wetherspoons said: “In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”