Councils are being encouraged by Downing Street 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 in the Round of 16 following their 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday.
While measures have been approved to extend pub hours until 2am for England matches in the knockout stages starting between 9pm and 10pm, this exemption does not apply to Monday’s game. Communities Secretary Steve Reed has reached out to councils to support allowing pubs to extend their operating hours, enhancing fans’ chances of watching the game at their local pub.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated that the Communities Secretary has urged councils to approve requests from pubs to further extend their hours for late games, ensuring fans can savor the football experience. Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson has advocated for a general extension of licensing hours for the upcoming match during discussions in the House of Commons.
Business Minister Kate Dearden praised the performance of Harry Kane and expressed her support for the team, emphasizing the importance of pubs being able to open for additional hours post-match. Although the extended hours will not be applicable for the 1am start on Sunday, the government is committed to backing pubs for future matches.
In a related development, Keir Starmer hinted at the possibility of a bank holiday if England triumphs in the World Cup. Reflecting on past victories, he suggested a potential correlation between winning World Cups and Labour governments. The government had previously considered granting an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses secured the Euros final in 2022.
No official commitment has been made by No10 regarding a bank holiday in the event of England’s success, despite prior discussions.