The Home Secretary was previously considering only allowing pubs to open later if one of the home nations reached the quarter-finals, but the policy has been expanded to include earlier knockout stages. In an official statement, Shabana Mahmood said the government is showing red tape the red card and taking pub hours to extra time so fans can get another round in without missing a single kick, toasting both the home nations at the World Cup and local pubs this summer.
Pubs will have the option to request temporary licenses for matches that may run past 2am due to time zone differences, though the exact process for requesting these licenses has not been detailed. If England win their group, their round of 32 game will be on July 1; if they come second, it will be on July 2. If Scotland win their round of 32 game, their round of 16 match would take place on July 4 or 5. It remains unclear whether the extended hours apply to all pubs nationwide or only in specific regions, and which specific home nations are covered by the policy.
It's great to see the Government seeing sense overall and having this option for the nation. It’s going to be a great occasion for everyone to enjoy this summer and, of course, the UK’s hospitality industry too will benefit.
This marks the first time in ten years that eased alcohol licensing rules will cover the round of 32 and the round of 16. Liverpool pubs have backed the idea of extending opening hours if any of the home nations reach the knockout rounds. According to Liverpool Echo, Sean Singleton, marketing manager of DGB Hospitality, described the move as great to see the Government seeing sense overall and having this option for the nation, noting it will benefit the UK’s hospitality industry. According to Liverpool Echo, Iain Hoskins, hospitality director from Newington Temple, described the option to stay open later as great for one of the biggest sporting events, expressing hope for an epic summer and a home nation victory.
Seel Street's Irish bar Pogue Mahone already enjoys late opening hours until 3am on weekends. The official start date for the extended hours and whether it applies immediately upon a home nation reaching the knockout rounds have not been confirmed, and any restrictions or conditions attached to the extended hours beyond knockout round qualification remain unspecified.
The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events there is, so it's great that we have got the option to stay open later. We're licensed until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays already, so it will be great to stay open longer if we can. I hope this summer will be an epic one for the nation and also for everyone involved in the hospitality industry. Sport unites people together in a wonderful way and we will be showing plenty of the games during the World Cup in Newington Temple. And it's about time we had a home nation victory too. Fingers are crossed.