On Saturday, (6 June), the government announced that football fans will be able to roar on the Three Lions at the World Cup this summer with extended opening hours for pubs – and called on local councils not to block their fun.
Local leaders were asked to sign-off as many requests for Temporary Event Notices as possible, allowing for pubs to open later and hold special screenings and events in beer gardens. It will be for councils to ultimately make these decisions and they will have to balance other factors, but it was announced that authorities who unnecessarily block people from getting together or holding things up will be held to account.
This builds on the latest extension to opening hours, with pubs able to stay open until 1am for England or Scotland matches in the knockout stages that kick off between 5pm and 9pm – and until 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm.
Precious pavement pints were also backed with a commitment to make it easier for pubs to serve food and drink outside. This underscores the work being undertaken to breathe new life into high streets and restore the pride people feel about their home, including through the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme which is backing local people to drive regeneration in almost 380 areas.
There has been positive national press coverage of these new announcements ahead of the World Cup. Much of the coverage focuses on the pavement pints aspect of the announcement, with many outlets hailing it as a victory for football fans.
The Sun reported that the Prime Minister is “urging town hall bosses to tear up red tape” to ensure fans can stay out and support the home nations during the World Cup. The piece notes that this could include special evening screenings of matches in pub beer gardens, adding that the Prime Minister “wants to let the whole nation enjoy a pint.” The piece includes the PM’s full comment, as well as the comment from the Secretary of State, with the piece noting he is urging council leaders to approve applications and sign off as many temporary event notices as possible.
The Telegraph covered the story, highlighting that the Secretary of State has called on local leaders not to be the blockers to extended opening hours and community events during the World Cup season. The story is positive, including quotes from both the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary, Steve Reed.
The Independent covered the story, including part of Communities Secretary Steve Reed’s quote in the title. The article focused on all aspects of this announcement including opening hours extensions,, screenings and pavement pints. The piece carried quotes from Steve Reed and the Prime Minister.
The Mirror also very positively runs the story online, describing the announcement as a “boost to England’s pubs”, quoting both the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary, Steve Reed.
The Metro covered the story, leading with the quote from Communities Secretary Steve Reed asking councils to not be “fun police” and allow licences for outdoor events ahead of the World Cup this summer. The reporting covers all aspects of this announcement including “pavement pints”. The reporting also carries a quote from a spokesperson from the Local Government Association, saying that it would be working to ensure licensing decisions are made in the interest of ‘local conditions and community needs’.
The Chronicle also ran the story, with pavement pints being the top line. The piece contains quotes from both the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Steve Reed. The article gives an overview of the other new measures including extended licensing hours and special screening hours.
Regionally, this story has been picked up by Birmingham Live, who focus on these new announcements aiming to help boost revenue for pubs across the summer period. The article cites that these new measures, including pavement pints, will offer a significant lifeline to venues. The article carried quotes from the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Steve Reed.
Elsewhere, there is coverage generally around the topic, with BBC Yorkshire reporting that several pubs have applied to stay open to until 5am during the World Cup. Broadcast coverage includes a mention by Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2.
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