England and Scotland fans who want to celebrate their team’s success in this year’s Euros could get an extra few hours for pints in the pub.
But it’ll only happen in the event that either (or both?!) make it as far as the semi-finals.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has announced licensing hours for the UK’s pubs will be extended if – or when – the national teams reach the penultimate stage of the competition.
The hospitality industry, still limping from the Covid lockdowns, received a welcome shot in the arm from people leaving their homes to watch fixtures during the delayed 2020 Euros and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It’s hoped that allowing the nation’s boozers to stay open until 1am on big match days this summer will do the same.
Legislation to allow the plan, which resulted from a consultation held at the end of last year, will be introduced to parliament today to ensure there’s plenty of time to debate it ahead of the first game on June 14.
Mr Cleverly said: ‘We have listened to the public through our consultation and will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.
‘This boost to the hospitality sector will allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home.’
Emma McClarkin, the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said optimistically: ‘The beer and pub sector is set for a bumper summer of sport, so let’s hope that England and Scotland make it not just through to the semi-finals but meet in the final itself, with pub goers able to cheer the teams on with a beer later into the night thanks to these new measures.’
Because the power to extend licensing hours is devolved, the law would only impact pubs in England and Wales.
So if Scotland was to progress further than England, the only members of the Tartan Army able to take advantage of the government’s plan would be those bold enough to venture south of the border.
Scottish licensing boards are independent bodies that can decide whether or not opening hours are extended themselves, meaning there’s no guarantee they’ll follow suit.
UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: ‘Euro 2024 is set to be a huge event for hospitality businesses this summer, as fans pack pubs and bars to cheer on the home nations.
‘We support the Home Office proposals to extend licensing hours for the semi-finals and final, should we reach that stage of the tournament.
‘Major sporting events provide a huge revenue boost and extended hours are essential to allow venues and fans to take full advantage.’
On the day England played Wales in the first week of the 2022 World Cup, spending in British bars, pubs and clubs increased by 20.5% from the same day the previous year, according to data from Barclaycard Payments.
Pubs were previously allowed to stay open until 1am for the late Queen’s platinum jubilee in June 2022, and licensing hours were also extended for the final of the 2020 Euros.
Calls for a similar move to mark England’s match against Spain in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final were rejected by ministers as it would have required recalling parliement.
This year’s Euros will kick off next month in Germany, with Scotland playing the hosts on the opening day.
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