The nation's pubs are set to be in high spirits on Monday morning, with the Prime Minister announcing a last-minute reprieve from an early kick-off curfew. In a dramatic U-turn, pubs across England have been granted a special licence extension, allowing them to stay open until 5am for the crunch World Cup match against Mexico.
The decision by Sir Keir Starmer is music to the ears of fans and pub-goers alike, who would have seen their viewing plans put in jeopardy if individual establishments had to apply for extended licences. The PM has utilised statutory powers to declare the match an event of "national significance," clearing the way for a marathon session of football-filled fun.
The Prime Minister was effusive in his support for the move, proclaiming, "Pubs staying open until the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together. The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!" This pronouncement is expected to be formally rubber-stamped in Parliament on Friday, although MPs won't need to be present in person.
England's World Cup campaign is hotting up, with the squad having secured their spot in the Round of 16 after a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday night. The mouth-watering match against Mexico is set to take place at the massive Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where the action will kick off at 8pm local time – a full seven hours before UK viewers can get their eyes on the ball.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) had been vocal in its calls for government intervention, highlighting that while some venues had successfully secured extended hours for other World Cup games, many local councils had refused to grant 5am extension requests for this particular fixture. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, was overjoyed at the news, declaring, "Pubs and fans will be going wild about this decision, because we all know that watching the match with mates down the pub is the ultimate experience." She added that the tournament is "hugely important" for the sector and praised the government for listening to their concerns and acting swiftly.