Wetherspoons chairman Sir Tim Martin has criticized the increasing use of QR codes for ordering food and drinks, arguing that it undermines the social experience at the bar. The 70-year-old pub boss suggested he may even veto the technology in the future, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interaction.
The comments came in response to a pub-goer’s complaint that ordering via an app diminishes the atmosphere, removing the opportunity to chat with bar staff and fellow customers. In Wetherspoon News magazine, Sir Tim wrote, “Don’t tell anyone, I beg you, but I couldn’t agree more. What’s a pub visit without shooting the breeze with the bar team? I was sure the app would never work, for the reasons you outlined.”
While many patrons appreciate the convenience introduced when the app launched in 2017, some share Sir Tim’s concerns about losing the traditional pub experience. One regular stated, “They’d be mad to axe it,” highlighting the divide in opinions.
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This discussion follows Wetherspoons’ recent involvement with Stu Brew, Europe’s first student-led brewery based at Newcastle University. The pub chain featured Stu Brew’s maple and pecan stout, ‘Exam Room Tears’ (5.5% ABV), at the Wetherspoon Spring Beer Festival, with 500 casks brewed at Cornwall’s St Austell Brewery.
The partnership showcases Wetherspoons’ commitment to supporting innovative brewing projects while balancing modern technology with the treasured pub culture in venues across Birmingham and nationwide, including at university campuses where Stu Brew operates its own Wetherspoon bar.