Pubs call for relaxed alcohol laws on Sunday for England’s World Cup final
The Women’s World Cup final is just around the corner, with England set to face Spain on Sunday at 11:00 BST.
Pubs in England are calling for licensing laws to be relaxed to allow venues to serve alcohol from 10:00 on the day of the final.
What time alcohol is served on Sundays depends on the individual pub licences.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) wants pubs to be able to start serving booze before kick-off.
The BBC says it understands it is unlikely as MPs would need to return to Westminster to change the rules temporarily.
Despite tweaks to licensing laws for special events having been approved for past events such as the men’s Euro 2020 final, its unlikely it’ll be changed for the World Cup final as Parliament is in recess.
For temporary changes to licensing laws, it would require both the House of Commons and the House of Lords to approve the tweaks.
The BBC has said it understands the government is not planning to recall MPs to make the change ahead of the England vs Spain final.
What can pubs do?
Individual pubs can apply for a special exemption to serve alcohol earlier than what their usual license would allow, but this usually takes several days notice ahead of any event.
The BBPA represents more than 20,000 pubs and believes many pubs wouldn’t have applied in time for the temporary notice for Sunday’s match.
Emma McClarkin, its boss, said: “As England enter their first World Cup Final since 1966, we need the government to step in and allow the necessary regulatory easement to allow pubs to serve the public from 10:00 on final day, so fans and communities can come together and cheer the Lionesses to victory.
“Where there’s a will, there has to be a way.”
Alun Cairns MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said he had raised the issue with the home secretary directly.
“We need to do all we can to support the team, whilst at the same time backing our great British pubs.”
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‘Economy boost’
Clive Watson, chair of the City Pub company, said that it was expecting “brisk trade” and “a carnival atmosphere” across its 43 pubs if England wins. Most of its pubs have a licence to serve alcohol from 12:00.
Many of the chain’s venues will be open from 10:30 on Sunday, but Mr Watson added: “It would be great if the government could relax the licensing laws so we can serve alcohol from 11:00.
“This is an historic sporting event for England. It’s not just about pubs selling more pints – it’s bringing everyone together to cheer the Lionesses on.”
Sunday’s final is already expected to bring a £41m boost to the hospitality sector across the UK, according to the industry trade body.
UK Hospitality predicts an extra one million people will be drawn into pubs, bars and restaurants in the hope of seeing the Lionesses win.
Kate Nicholls, its chief executive, said: “We’ve seen venues already make a huge effort for the Women’s World Cup and we expect that to go even further this Sunday, which will inevitably lead to a boost for hospitality businesses.”
Sunday trading rules can be tweaked for “an occasion of exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
The pub chain Young’s, which has more than 200 venues across the country, said that most would be opening by 10:30 ahead of the match at 11:00.
For those that can’t serve alcohol before 12:00, they will be serving tea, coffee and a breakfast menu.
If England do win the government has said there are “no plans” for an extra bank holiday.
