No Further Extension for Late-Night World Cup Game
The UK government has confirmed it will not grant an additional extension to pub opening hours for the England versus Mexico World Cup match, scheduled to begin at 1am UK time. This decision comes despite calls from some Members of Parliament and industry bodies to allow fans to watch the late-night fixture in licensed establishments.
Calls for Extended Hours Rejected
During a session in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson questioned whether the government would consider relaxing licensing laws for the Sunday night game to enable pubs to host viewing parties. Wilkinson argued that without a blanket extension, pubs would miss a significant opportunity to generate revenue.
Business Minister Kate Dearden responded, stating that while existing regulations permit pubs to stay open for an additional two to three hours depending on the match start time, these would not be further extended for a 1am kick-off. She noted that current provisions allow pubs to remain open until the game concludes, but acknowledged that the 1am start on Sunday falls outside these specific arrangements. Dearden reiterated the government's support for pubs and expressed hope for England's success in the tournament.
Previous Licensing Relaxations
In April, the government had already adjusted licensing rules to facilitate pub viewing for England and Scotland matches. These changes extended opening hours from 11pm to 1am for games kicking off between 5pm and 9pm. For matches starting after 9pm and up to 10pm, pubs were permitted to remain open until 2am.
Temporary Event Notices (TENs)
Beyond these general relaxations, pubs have the option to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from their local council to stay open later. However, such applications must be submitted at least five working days in advance, making it too late for pubs to apply for the upcoming Sunday match if they had not already done so by Thursday.
Some establishments had proactively anticipated England's potential progression in the tournament and had already secured the necessary event notices. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, highlighted the concerns of publicans who wish to show the match but lack the required TENs. She expressed that it would be regrettable for both fans and pubs if local establishments were unable to host such a significant game.
Source: Original Article
