Pubs and bars may be allowed to extend their opening hours for the duration of this summer's upcoming European Championship, the Home Secretary has hinted, in what could be a mega boost for football fans and hospitality venues alike.
Speaking to the Sun, James Cleverly said he was considering the temporary licensing extension, while a formal announcement is expected on Tuesday which could see him confirm the move.
When pressed on the matter, Cleverly said: "I will certainly look into it."
The easement - which would see venues allowed to remain open until 1am if England and Scotland make it to the final or semi-finals - would let pub-going fans stick around to support their countries past the end of their games.
The Home Secretary will "certainly look into" letting pubs open later in the event of a semi-final or final appearance
PA
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the move would hand the struggling British hospitality industry a "much needed boost" - and would give football fans a "bumper summer" in pubs, bars and beer gardens across the land.
McClarkin said: "The Government consultation looking into allowing pubs to extend their hours to cover the semi-final and the final during the upcoming Euros is something that received overwhelming support and we look forward to the Government now putting in place the regulations needed as soon as possible.
"Reducing the red tape that pubs would otherwise have to undertake is one of the little ways that the Government can reduce some of the costs of doing business.
"There are many more, but with this easement the beer and pub sector is looking forward to a bumper summer of sport and let’s hope that pub goers can enjoy these extended hours, especially if England and Scotland get to the semis and maybe even meet in the final."
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Fans like these will have to wait until Tuesday for any formal announcement
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One factor behind the Home Secretary's decision could be the time difference - with host nation Germany an hour ahead, some group stage games are slated to start at 8pm UK time - and might finish as late as 10pm, especially if added time rumbles on.
While an emotionally-fraught knock-out match could finish at times approaching 11pm after extra-time and penalties.
Though next week's announcement could see pubs in England and Wales benefit from an easement, licensing laws in Scotland and Northern Ireland are devolved - and while only the former will be playing this summer, fans in either country will have to wait for their own governments to reach a decision.
Of the home nations, England and Scotland have made the cut for this year's Euros after Wales dramatically lost out to Poland on penalties in a qualification play-off.
Scotland fans will have to wait for their own governments to reach a decision as licensing laws are devolved
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Northern Ireland failed to make it out of their qualifying group, as did Gibraltar and the Republic of Ireland, who had to contend with France, the Netherlands and a resurgent Greece for a place at the tournament.
England will be hoping to improve on their recent tournament performances - though the Three Lions made it to the final of the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they suffered penalty heartbreak to heavyweights Italy and France respectively.
And manager Gareth Southgate's future hangs in the balance; with the waistcoat-sporting boss's contract set to expire at the end of this year, fans and the FA will be expecting big things in what could be his final tournament.
Though Scotland fans may have humbler expectations, the Tartan Army will nonetheless be looking to push past third-favourites Germany and canny Switzerland and Hungary sides for a berth in the competition's knockout stage.
