Former GBPA finalist bans phones ahead of Gov emergency alert test

20-Apr-2023 - Last updated on 10-May-2023 at 10:49 GMT

Unnecessary intrusion: Somerset-based pub asks customers to leave phones at home or turned off on Sunday 23 April (Credity: Getty/Infadel)

A Somerset-based pub has asked customers to leave their phones at home during Sunday lunch service on 23 April to avoid “unnecessary intrusion” from the Government's new Emergency Alert system test.

Scheduled to take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April, the Emergency Alerts system test will see all UK mobile phones that are turned on and have notifications enabled receive a drill emergency alert from the Government to test the new system, which will cause a loud alarm to ring out.

Kindly request

The Camelot Pub in Yeovil, said via a Facebook post: “On Sunday 23 April, the Camelot is requesting all customers to leave their mobile phones at home if they are coming to the pub.

“We have all heard the alert on various news channels and we feel very strongly that we don’t want the alarm system to spoil the enjoyment of customers coming for our legendary roast lunches.

“If customers feel strongly about bringing their phones, then we kindly request you turn them off while in the pub before the alarm goes off at 3pm."

The Government website states the new alarm system has been put in place to warn people of nearby “life-threatening emergencies”.

Not necessary

However, “no action” will be required when the test alarm sounds across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Customers who do bring their phone and "intrude" the pub, which was a finalist in the 2022 Great British Pub Awards (GBPA) in the sustainability category, during Sunday lunch service will be asked to make a charitable donation as penance.

The pub’s Facebook post continued: “Any customer who does have an alarm go off will be asked to pop a large donation into our charity box. This month our chosen charity is the Alzheimer’s Society.

“We are really sorry if this offends some customers, but as we have all had the chance to hear the alarm, we don’t feel it’s necessary to have it intrude our lives on a Sunday here.”