If (within walking distance) the only alternative to the Weatherspoons is "bars" that deafen you with "muzak" then personally I'd rather have the Weatherspoons and quiet. Even some of the supposedly folk venues I have been to have had the amp cranked up so much it's no longer music it's just an uncomfortable row. Weatherspoons specifically cater for those people who don't want music or football or anything other than the company of friends   & maybe a bit of food.

All the ones I've been in have also had reasonably high ceilings and effective air conditioning systems which help minimise the smoke so at least I can breath, which for me most of the time has to be a major consideration.

They are NOT competing with pubs that cater for music live or pre-recorded. The idea that pubs who charge more are doing so to cover the cost of music is ludicrous as is the implication that by patronising a weatherspoons you are somehow being a skinflint who is killing off live music in pubs. There is room for both types.

What there is not room for is the big companies profiteering by charging £2.60 for a pint of soda and lime which is 20p more than the same pub charges for a pint of beer! A lot of people are put off going to pubs because in order to find one that's not a smoke filled, ear-blasting, larger bar full of kiddies they have to drive because the inadequate and costly public transport system stops running well before the pubs shut (and in some cases before many bands have even started to play ). If when they get there they are made to pay extortionate amounts for non alcoholic drinks is it any wonder that many people decide not to bother and stay home.