Army veteran landlord bans mobile phones from his pub and says he will throw out anyone who tries to use their handsets
The landlord of a historic pub has completely banned phones and announced any punters flouting the rules will be told to leave.
The landlord of a historic pub has completely banned phones and announced any punters flouting the rules will be told to leave.
Army veteran Kevin Moran, 84, says he takes no nonsense when it comes to people chatting on their mobiles at the independent Nags Head pub in Belgravia.
Mr Moran is so against modern technology he says doesnt even have a mobile phone, saying his landline is good enough.
His pub now operates a one strike rule when it comes to people flouting the ban at pub as the policy is clearly signposted with boards outside the boozer clearly stating NO mobile phones.
Staff at the quintsentially British pub believe punters should chat to each other rather than having their head in a device.
Army veteran Kevin Moran, 84, says he takes no nonsense when it comes to people chatting on their mobiles at the independent Nags Head pub in Belgravia
His pub now operates a one strike rule when it comes to people flouting the ban at pub as the policy is clearly signposted with boards outside the boozer
Staff at the quintsentially British pub believe punters should chat to each other rather than having their head in a device.
Former squaddie Mr Moran who has owned the pub for more than 40 years, says he does occasionally let tourists use their cameras to take pictures inside the pub but only if they ask.
And visitors cant even use their phones to pay.
Sorry but I dont want to listen to your mammy, your granny or your cousin, he said.
I ask people to take it outside and if they wont, there are thousands of other pubs in London.
But the ban has irked some visitors who say the rules are slightly too strictly enforced.
One said on Tripadvisor: A genuine old English pub experience. Dont be surprised if you are told to put your phone away or to hang up your coat on the wall hooks.
Another said: Back to the old days - no mobile usage. Great slightly eccentric landlord - youll just have to have a chat.
Another added: Visited with the family in August. Two teenage boys experienced some existential angst when told no mobiles allowed. Then they opened their eyes and enjoyed this place.
Throughout his years behind the bar at the Nags Head, Mr Moran has had many customers including Jeffrey Epsteins criminal associate Ghislaine Maxwell (Epstein and Maxwell pictured in 2005)
Across the road is the £1.75m Belgravia townhouse that Ghislaine Maxwell once owned
But one said: Also no mobile phone sentiment is lovely but the way it is enforced creates a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere.
Phone bans in pubs are still few and far between - presumably because they are hard to enforce and put customers off.
In 2019, Samuel Smith became the first pub chain in the UK to ban phones in their venues, asking customers to take calls outside.
The ban is understood to still be in place.
Throughout his years behind the bar at the Nags Head, Mr Moran has had many customers including Jeffrey Epsteins criminal associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In 2021, at the denoument of her trial, Maxwell attempted to call on the landlord to provide testimony in her defence.
The Nag’s Head was located opposite to the home where Maxwell used to live.
Mr Moran was expected to fly to the US to give evidence on Maxwell’s behalf, challenging claims by an accuser that she was taken to the property by her and forced to have sex with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein in 1994.
However, due to scheduling conflicts, the landlord didnt arrive to testify.
