Police were called to a village pub this weekend after reports that it was flouting lockdown rules – only to discover the ‘party’ was online.
The Crown pub, in Cleator Moor, Cumbria, has been hosting Zoom get-togethers dubbed the ‘Stay Inn’ since it closed to customers when coronavirus restrictions were put in place on March 23.
Pub-goers have taken part in open mic nights, quizzes and ‘general chit chat’ from the comfort of their own homes to keep spirits high throughout the lockdown.
But on Saturday evening, the online regulars were shocked when Cumbria Police knocked on the door following reports the pub was open for business.
In a clip from the Zoom chat, landlord Russ Lemon and his partner Steph Jenkinson are seen explaining to an officer that the pub was only hosting a virtual get-together.
On Saturday evening, regulars enjoying an online booze-up with the landlord of the Crown pub in Cleator Moor, Cumbria, were shocked to see police arrive following reports the pub was open for business
A Cumbria Police officer waves at regulars at the ‘Stay Inn’ after she was called to reports the pub was operating
A few moments later, an officer hops into the frame to wave at the six regulars who are enjoying a pint from the safety of their homes.
Police can then be seen searching the premises in the background of the call, as the pub-goers joke they are raiding a ‘virtual pub.’
Another drinker jokes about the ‘victims at the bar’ – referring to a backdrop of fake skeletons – before imploring the officers to ‘look in the cellar.’
The three Cumbria Police officers soon head out of the pub after it becomes clear the get together was only taking place online.
Neil Seaton, who recorded the clip, told MailOnline: ‘We were chatting the other night, laughing and joking away as we normally do, when we heard a knock on the door.
In a clip from the Zoom chat, landlord Russ Lemon and his partner Steph Jenkinson are seen explaining to an officer that the pub was only hosting a virtual get-together
A few moments later, an officer hops into the frame to wave at the six regulars who are enjoying a pint from the safety of their homes
‘Landlord Russ gets up and at that point I click “record” in the meeting because I heard Russ say “I think it’s the police, I think we’re being raided.”
‘It’s just hilarious, the police took it in really good spirits and it’s absolutely fabulous.’
Mr Seaton explained that the landlords had their laptop plugged into speakers near the window, so ‘anybody walking past would probably think the pub is jam packed.’
‘Some of the open mic nights are populated by locals from in and around Cumbria singing and if that’s coming from the PA system its loud and someone would hear it,’ he said.
‘It would have sounded like the pub was full, so somebody out of concern, and rightly so, thought someone was breaking lockdown rules and police responded exactly as they should have.’
Cumbria Police said they received reports on Saturday that people had been singing karaoke inside the pub on Friday night, but when they checked The Crown on Saturday evening it ‘appeared closed.’
Officers then returned just before 11pm after another member of the public reported seeing people going in and out of the establishment.
‘However, this was likely our officers who were there at this time confirming that nobody at the pub other than the owners and the pub was not open,’ a spokesperson for Cumbria Police added.
‘The pub was actually running a “virtual pub” over Zoom, which appears to have been what has confused people living in the vicinity.’
Mr Seaton explained he had created a ‘virtual pub’ website for The Crown after lockdown measures forced it to close in March.
The Crown pub in Cleator Moor, Cumbria (pictured) has been closed to customers since coronavirus restrictions were put in place on March 23
Neil Seaton (pictured in the Zoom call) created a ‘virtual pub’ website for The Crown after lockdown measures forced it to close in March
‘I’m a local of the pub and obviously when the lockdown started I provided the pub with a website to give them the opportunity to trade and sell online and link to local businesses to help each other,’ he said.
‘For mental health, we thought we needed a virtual pub so regulars can still talk because we’re not a young place, the majority are older chaps and ladies and this provided a virtual platform.’
Pubs, restaurants and bars have remained closed amid the coronavirus crisis, with the government stating these ‘non-essential’ businesses will ‘reopen in a phased manner provided it is safe to do so.’
Pictured: Paddy and Julie O’Leary enjoying a glass of wine as they witness the police ‘raid’