- The government has confirmed that pubs will be permitted to remain open until 2 am if any of the home nations progress to the knockout stage of the men’s football tournament.
- Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the UK’s national football lead, voiced concerns that the extended hours could lead to increased crime and place additional strain on police resources.
- Roberts suggested that allowing individual premises to apply for licence extensions, as per existing laws, would be a more controlled and sensible approach.
- Hospitality businesses, including the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), anticipate a substantial economic boost, with an England appearance in the final potentially generating an extra £275m in sales.
- This marks the first time in a decade that alcohol licensing hours will be relaxed for the round of 32 and 16 stages of the tournament.
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