A new app has been created which will steer drinkers away from branches of Wetherspoons in favour of nearby independent pubs.
Called Neverspoons, the 'booze-nav' device has come about in direct response to the major pub group's actions during the Covid-19 crisis.
Many were enraged when the major chain's boss Tim Martin described lockdown as being "over the top," while announcing that his 40,000 work force should "get a job at Tesco" rather than go on furloughed leave.
The statements prompted major outcry on social media, with lots stating that they would subsequently boycott the entire JD Wetherspoon franchise - sales of which reportedly stood at £1.8billion last year.
And, hot on the heels of that backlash, Neverspoons hopes to direct people to alternative independently-run pubs near them once watering holes in Wales finally reopen - in an outdoor capacity, at least - from July 13.
It uses the location of the user to steer them to the door of traditional, smaller boozers, all of which have been severely hit during the pandemic.
"Far too many traditional pubs closed down after the previous recession and it was pretty sad to see," Shane Jones, one of the Manchester designers behind the app.
"There are too many of these former pubs in amazing buildings, now derelict, that used to be the central hub for a lot of communities.
"So, the message is simple: if you do want to head out to the pub as they re-open, consider avoiding your local Wetherspoon and instead support a smaller independent pub - taking the necessary steps to do so safely."
The app can be downloaded from both the App Store and Google Play.
For more information, visit the Neverspoons website.
