Well-known pub chain JD Wetherspoon has confirmed that a notice on a condom machine in a bathroom supposedly in one of its pubs is fake.

The fake notice uses the company’s logo and says that due to the national period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, no condoms would be dispensed for the time being.

A picture of the ‘notice’ was tweeted by indie rock band Reverend & the Makers from its official account.

The post contains a picture that appears to have been taken from inside a bathroom at a Wetherspoon pub.

The notice featured in the tweet says: “NOTIFICATION. Royal period of Mourning. No sheaths will be dispensed from this condom vending machine until Wednesday, September 21st.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding during this time. Thank you.” 

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Along with the picture, Reverend & the Makers said: “Classy touch from Spoons.”

The post has been liked more than 8,200 times and retweeted or quote tweeted 1,000 times since being published at 10.49pm on Sunday, September 11.

J D Wetherspoon has, however, confirmed that the notice is fake as none of the pubs run by the company have condom machines.

The pub chain refused to comment other than to say the sign was fake as the company does not have condom machines in its pubs.

Unsurprisingly, the controversy garnered a lot of attention online with people asking if it was actually real or indeed a fake.

Guardian columnist and author Owen Jones was another who asked if the post was real.

Reverend & the Makers responded with: “I don’t think so but the fact that nobody is sure is the salient point I guess.”

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