PUB CLOSING HOURS TO BE EXTENDED IF ENGLAND REACH EURO SEMI-FINAL

With the EURO’s kicking off next month, England fans will have something extra to cheer about should they get to the semi-final, as it was announced that pubs will be allowed to serve alcohol for an extra 2 hours, until 1am.

England are due to play Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in the group stages, a round of 16 draw would then follow against Austria/ Romania/ Turkey, before a quarter-final match against Italy (let’s hope it doesn’t end up like last time!). Should England then get to the semi-final, they could play France before a potential final vs Spain. The semi-final would be on 10th July and the final on 14th July, which would be the 2 dates that pubs would be allowed to serve until 1am. 

Home Secretary James Cleverly stated: “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.”

At the last EURO’s when England got to the final, high street pubs saw a 129% increase in footfall compared to the previous weekend, while Rick Robinson the owner of the Willoughby Arms in Kingston-upon-Thames said it saved his pub – they took £14,000 in just one week vs a usual £8,000 a week.

Here’s hoping England can go all the way this year!