A Birmingham boozer has said the Government’s decision to allow pubs to stay open later for home nation games during the World Cup is “good news” but warned of the “legislative burden” they still face.
Extended pub licensing hours already applied to relevant World Cup matches kicking off between 8pm and 10pm, but today, the Home Office has announced an extension, meaning pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open an extra two hours until 1am for round of 32 and 16 games starting from 5pm to 9pm.
Later kick‑offs, from 9pm up until and including 10pm, will push last orders back to 2am.
The Government say in total, thirteen potential home nation matches will now be covered by the later opening hours.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
It is the first time in a decade pubs and bars will be allowed to stay open late if the home nations reach any of the round of 32 and 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the World Cup, removing the need for venues to apply for individual licensing extensions.
Brand and Marketing Director at Davenports Brewery, Katie McPhilimey, told GB News the move was "good news".
She said: “I think any positive news set against the current climate is a really good thing, and pubs have always gone hand in hand with sport.
“I think by cutting the red tape, allowing us to extend those hours, will boost community spirit, and hopefully give another reason why people should come together in a pub to watch it and enjoy it and cheer on their team.”
Katie McPhilimey reacted to the announcement on GB News
|PA / GB NEWS
Davenports is one of the largest brewing and pub retailing companies in the West Midlands, operating a number of pubs.
Speaking from The Queen’s Head in Birmingham city centre, the brewery has invested in a large projector screen with an eye on the summer of football ahead and dealing with increased costs.
Ms McPhilimey added: “We've actually done that as a conscious decision now because of rising costs.
“You've got to give people more reason to come into a pub, and sport and live entertainment is one of those, so, investing in the screens, hopefully, people want to come.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Ms McPhilimey is aiming to 'maximise the opportunity'
|GB NEWS
“We had a few inquiries about renting out the room for private parties, and maybe we go down the route of World Cup burgers, we have literally got to maximise the opportunity.”
The Government announced in January that pubs and music venues in England would be given a 15 per cent discount on their business rates bills from April and would not see increases for two years.
It is understood the three-year package will be worth more than £1,500 for the average pub in 2026-2027.
The Treasury had faced severe backlash after the Budget in November, which left pubs across the country with what were described by landlords as “unaffordable” business rate bills.
Whilst Katie welcomes the extension of licensing hours for the World Cup, she says the "legislative burden" remains.
She told GB News: “Operational costs have only gone one way. Energy, food, salaries, they've all gone one way, and customers can only take so much impact.
“You've got to give the added value to get them to come into the pub and a summer of sports, I mean, that's got to be good news. It's always good for the economy.
“By cutting the red tape, so we don't have to apply for the licenses, which takes more time and more money, but please don't let it just be that.
“Put it hand in hand with some measures that really help the legislative burden, and also the soaring operational costs. It's great news, but we'd love it to just be expanded a little bit by something that really impacts the bottom line and helps us.”