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Pubs in England and Wales will be permitted to remain open until 5 a.m. on Monday, enabling football fans to watch England’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico through to the very end. The game, which takes place in Mexico City, is scheduled to begin at 1 a.m. UK time. Initially, the government maintained that licensing laws would not be relaxed beyond recent extensions made for the tournament, but a later reversal by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer allowed for the later closing time.
The match on Monday is expected to finish sometime after 3 a.m. Sir Keir described the move as positive news for both fans and pub owners, stating, “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.” The easing of restrictions was warmly received across the hospitality sector. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, commented, “We all know the best place to watch the match is down the local.” Meanwhile, Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, called the extension “fantastic news” and said it would be “hugely welcomed by operators.”
Before this latest decision, the licensing hours had already been extended due to the World Cup, allowing pubs to stay open until 1 a.m. for matches kicking off between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., and until 2 a.m. for games starting between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. These changes came after a six-week public consultation that began in December. Typically, individual pubs need to request extended opening times from their local council at least five working days in advance.
Earlier on Thursday, Business Minister Kate Dearden indicated there would be no further extensions for Monday’s 1 a.m. kickoff, responding to concerns raised in the House of Commons by Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson about missed business opportunities for pubs. However, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed subsequently announced an emergency law change being fast-tracked through Parliament on Friday to ensure that all England fans could access pubs to watch the match. Reed acknowledged that previous licensing relaxations had not anticipated a game ending so late, describing the move as “one of the fastest changes in the law that we’ve seen.”
There are, however, worries about the impact of late-night pub openings on road safety. With hot weather expected over the weekend, there is an increased risk of dehydration, especially when combined with alcohol consumption. The RAC urged anyone staying up late to avoid driving until they are fully rested and hydrated, noting that this might require waiting much later into the day. Their spokesperson, Rod Dennis, warned, “Tiredness, dehydration and alcohol can be a lethal combination behind the wheel.” Employment considerations were also raised, with the CIPD advising employers to set clear expectations for Monday’s workday and cautioning that any flexibility needs to be pre-agreed. David D’Souza, the CIPD’s director of profession, emphasized, “Employers are under no obligation to make special arrangements around World Cup matches” and added, “Employees should not assume arrangements will automatically be available.”
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