Wetherspoon closes all social media accounts

16-Apr-2018 - Last updated on 16-Apr-2018 at 08:00 GMT

User offline: JDW closes social media accounts

High street pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is to close all Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for its individual sites and head office with "immediate effect", as the pub giant loses faith in social media.

Tim Martin's almost 900-strong pub chain will have no social media presence following a spate of negative publicity surrounding platforms such as Facebook, which has recently sparked uproar following claims users' details were misused.

This morning (16 April), JDW made what could be its final posts on its main Twitter and Facebook accounts to tell customers it would no longer be using social media to communicate with them.

In a world of social media, J D Wetherspoon has decided to close down all Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media accounts for individual pubs and head office. pic.twitter.com/16BbW7JS3g
— J D Wetherspoon (@jdwtweet) April 16, 2018

JDW has more than 44,000 followers on Twitter, as well as 102,902 Facebook 'likes' and 98,160 Facebook followers, all of who will have to find out about their favourite Wetherspoon pubs through their websites and the pubco's magazine.

In a statement issued today, JDW said the decision had been made following bad publicity surrounding social media, including the "trolling of MPs and others, especially those from or ethnic minorities".

Recent concerns regarding the misuse of personal data and "the addictive nature of social media" also played a part in JDW's decision to remove itself from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, the statement continued.

JDW Facebook — Last word: JDW tells its near 100,000 Facebook followers it is leaving social media behind

JDW chairman Tim Martin said: "We are going against conventional wisdom that these platforms are a vital component of a successful business.

"I don't believe that closing these accounts will affect our business whatsoever, and this is the overwhelming view of our pub managers.

"It's becoming increasingly obvious that people spend too much time on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and struggle to control the compulsion."

He added the company would remain vocal within its Wetherspoon News magazine, as well as through the press.

Website and app continues

Martin said: "We will also be maintaining our website and the Wetherspoon app and encourage customers to get in touch with us via our website or by speak with the manager at their local pub."

The news was met with mixed reactions from Facebook users, with some praising the decision, others lamenting it and some questioning why their accounts were still active after saying they would be removed with "immediate effect".

Eric Harvey said: "Said on the news with immediate effect, first saw that 30 minutes ago, but still up and running. Is there a new meaning to the word immediate?"

Deborah Murray said: "Wetherspoons [sic] don't need to advertise on these sites anyway, good luck. Love Wetherpoons."

While Peter Roythorne said: "Another backwards step by Wetherspoon."