Agree with some of the above, and have been known to drink in the aforementioned hostelry from time to time. (Friends live just up the road.)

Mind you, when Wetherspoons set up near where I used to live, we loved it. Not just because of the range of beers on offer, but because they did not have music. You could hear yourself talk, not have to lip read your mate, could hear the barmaid tell you how much money to hand over and where the bogs were.

I just wonder if Sam Smiths pubs toyed with the same idea? In essence, that's commendable, but as ever, silly arbitrary rules rather than applying a common sense policy.

Don't forget, the idea of no music is to be an antidote to loud dance music, not a pop at beer drinking sandal wearing bearded carol singers. if requiring a pint of Sam Smiths whilst sticking a finger in one ear and droning on is so important, then Sam Smiths beer has status in the folk world I hadn't reckoned on....

If the business tactics of pub owners requires a boycott, then there will be even less pubs. I have family experience of getting into bed with Punch, and they make Humphrey look a bit amateur...