Councils are being encouraged to permit pubs to remain open for England’s early morning World Cup match on Monday. The Three Lions are set to play against Mexico at 1am on Monday in the Round of 16 following their 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in an intense match on Wednesday.
Although measures have been approved to extend pub opening hours until 2am for England games in the knockout stages starting between 9pm and 10pm, this exemption does not apply to Monday’s game due to its later start time. Communities Secretary Steve Reed has sent letters to councils urging them to expedite processing applications for pubs to extend their hours, aiming to enhance fans’ ability to enjoy the game at their local pub.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated that the Secretary of State for Housing and Communities has reached out to councils to facilitate the approval of applications for pubs to further extend their hours for late games, ensuring fans can savor the football experience. Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson proposed a universal extension to licensing hours for the upcoming match during discussions in the House of Commons on Thursday.
Acknowledging Harry Kane’s exceptional performance, Business Minister Kate Dearden expressed admiration for the England captain and pledged her support for the team. She emphasized the importance of allowing pubs to stay open for a few extra hours depending on the match’s end time, emphasizing the commitment to backing pubs for fans’ convenience in watching and cheering for the team.
In a related development, Keir Starmer hinted at the possibility of declaring a bank holiday if England clinches the World Cup. Referencing the past World Cup victory under a Labour government, the Prime Minister expressed cautious optimism for England’s chances in the tournament. While calls for an additional bank holiday were supported in previous instances, the government has refrained from committing to such a holiday if England emerges victorious this time.
