Lock-in (pub)
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[edit] Overview and History
A lock-in is when the owner of a public house allows a number of patrons to continue staying in the pub after the legal closing time.
The origin of the lock-in was a reaction to changes in the licensing laws in England and Wales in 1915, which curtailed opening hours to stop factory workers turning up drunk and harming the war effort. Since 1915 the licensing laws changed very little, leaving the United Kingdom with comparatively early closing times. The tradition of the lock in therefore remained and is on the whole a peculiarly British concept.
The attraction for many was that lock-ins were secret, a conspiracy between publican and patron. Also, they were exclusive, usually with only a few select regulars. The lock-in became a tradition. While publicans risked losing their licences by allowing them, police often turned a blind eye if things were kept low key.
[edit] Licensing Act 2003
The government announced in 2000 that it was considering the biggest overhaul of drinking laws for 90 years. Legislators made the traditional pub lock-in redundant on Thursday 23rd November 2005 when new opening hours came into force.
As a result of the new Act, premises may apply to extend their opening hours beyond 11pm, allowing round-the-clock drinking and removing much of the need for lock-ins.
[edit] See also
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