The restaurant that's banned mobile phones

The restaurant is more than happy for people to take pictures but is against people texting, tweeting or talking on the phone

The sign on the door of the restaurant (Shehab Khan)

A restaurant in Leamington Spa has banned its customers from using mobile phones while dining.

Japanese deli Auradaze has a placed a sign on the door of the 9ft by 9ft restaurant alerting customers of the no phone rule.

Darren Yates, owner and head chef told The Independent: “The psychology behind it is that for two hours when having a meal and breaking bread, the focus should be on conversation.

“Meal time is the most important time for a family to get together and chat about how their day has been and not be on your phone.”

Mr Yates added that if there is a legitimate reason to have your phone out, he doesn’t mind.

“We have Air Ambulance people and surgeons who are on call eat here, they just have their phone on silent and they don’t have a problem with it,” he told The Independent.

The chef, who lived in Japan for years while receiving his training, said the culture in Britain is very different compared to that of Asia and phones being banned in Japanese restaurants is an accepted norm.

He did however say, he is more than happy for people to take pictures on their phones but is completely against people texting, tweeting or talking on the phone while in his restaurant.

The ban hasn’t effected business according to Mr Yates. He says that anyone who doesn't like the ban is welcome to leave and many have chosen to do just that.