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Tavern Clocks became popular from the beginning of the 18th Century
and were quite often the only method of telling the time in some smaller
communities in the absents of a church clock.
Tavern clocks also became known as “Act of Parliament clocks”
because the Inns or Taverns were they resided were the only places able
or willing to pay a clock tax introduced in 1797. William Pitt, the
then Prime Minister levied a tax of 5 shilling on every new watch and
clock in the British Isles. Needless to say people stopped buying clocks
and the act became very unpopular with clockmakers and the general public
alike. The act was repealed within nine months, but the name “Act
of Parliament” stuck.
While the act was still current many public places including Inns and
Taverns bought large wall mounted clocks to encourage people into their
premises. Most were quite plain, but for those proprietors willing to
spend the extra pound or two they might gain a quite elaborately decorated
timepiece. Thus, hopefully attracting more custom.
Colin has made a number of copies of these timepieces including exact
facsimiles of the original movements. The one shown on this page was
made on commission for an enthusiastic collector. This clock and other
made by Colin are known as Bi-centenary Tavern Clocks.
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