A Greggs branch in Croydon, South London, has put its foot down on customer etiquette by declaring it will not serve customers who refuse to take off their headphones or AirPods while being served. The popular bakery chain's bold move is a bid to improve efficiency and communication at the counter.

A sign in the shop sternly advises: "When in queue, remove your headphone/AirPods and come off phones or we may have to refuse service."

One staff member conveyed the issue to The Sun, explaining: "We get more and more customers coming in who seem to be lost in another world. We try to be helpful and get everyone served quickly during busy times but it's impossible if customers can't hear a word you're saying. The sign is pretty blunt but we have no option."

While this strict stance isn't company-wide policy, as confirmed by a source from Greggs who stated the crackdown was branch-specific, the company chose not to officially comment, reports Birmingham Live. 

Adding fuel to the fire, another employee took to the internet to vent about customer behaviour, pleading: "Can people please stop talking on the phone when placing an order! It's rude to workers because we have to wait until you stop.

"I have got to the point where I will just ask what we are required to. I do not care if it interrupts your call, I am not going to wait for you to finish when there are people behind you. Stop doing it."

Greggs declined to comment, but an insider at the company stated yesterday that the headphone crackdown is not a company policy.