This summer is looking like a busy one as Euro 2024 is set to take place. Fans will be filling the beer gardens across the UK as they cheer on England, and pubs might be opening for a few extra hours thanks to the three lions on the shirt.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has announced that pubs will stay open late if either England or Scotland reach the semi-finals. If that’s not an incentive for the England squad, then I don’t know what is. The whole nation will be behind them for the extra hours in the boozer, that’s for sure.
Cleverly said: “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. This boost to the hospitality sector will allow friends, families, and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home.”
What does this mean for pubs?
If they choose to, pubs can open as late as 1am on the night of the semi-finals. The announcement has proved popular with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Chairman, Nik Antona, who said: “Cheering on your team, in the atmosphere of the pub, surrounded by friends and local community, is an experience that you can’t get anywhere else.”
“Recognising the unique nature of the pub in this way is a much-needed boost for licensees, who have faced an uphill struggle to remain profitable in recent years in the face of spiralling costs.”
The semi-finals will take place on July 9th and 10th, which are weekdays – Tuesday and Wednesday. There is a long road ahead for both teams, so don’t book the day off work just yet.
The Scottish team will start their Euro 2024 campaign on June 14th, playing host to Germany – a strong favourite to win. England’s first game is on June 16th against Serbia.
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