In the Moon Under Water it is always quiet enough to talk. The house possesses neither a radio nor a piano, and even on Christmas Eve and such occasions the singing that happens is of a decorous kind.
George Orwell, The Listener, 1943
Meanwhile Tim Martin has banned speaker phones and tablets playing music etc in all Wetherspoons pubs. He argues that Spoons pubs should be an ‘oasis of tranquillity and contemplation’
This may seem optimistic but at least in the early period of Spoons, the 1980s and 1990s, Martin was much taken by Orwell’s ideal pub the Moon Under Water.
I drank in the first Spoons pub in Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill (I still stop by Spoons on occasion btw) and if there was a significant noise it was that of Tim Martin (who has quite a loud voice) expanding on his views. In those times getting on for 50 years ago now, the views while robust were perhaps more palatable then they have been in more recent times
The Telegraph has found in a poll that 99% of its readers support Martin. How mant frequent Spoons is another matter.
Its important to underline though that Martin is not doing what the late Humphrey Smith (Sam Smiths) did and ban electronic devices in Spoons. Far from it. Most Spoons have ample power points and during the day people can be seen with laptops taking advantage of the free coffee refill policy. (that also brings complaints on the We Love Wetherspoons FB page)
Are they banned though. All the articles I’ve read say that he’s asked. The headlines only say banned. Or is he Humphrey of Sam Smiths successor!
Gill
He is not Humphrey Smith’s successor. While some Spoons do close (for economic reasons) he is opening 10 more before the end of 2026.
I just meant being a miserable old so and so. Lol