The Lionesses have twice needed extra time to make it through to tomorrow night’s European Championship final.
Now pubs have been given an extension of their own and can stay open until 1am after England’s women have taken on Spain in Switzerland.
As the team prepared to defend their title in Basel, the Home Office yesterday confirmed licensing hours will be extended across England and Wales.
Excitement has been building since England’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy in Tuesday’s semi-final, with Britons predicted to splurge around £184 million on food and drink for the match, according to website VoucherCodes.
And pub-goers are expected to buy an estimated million extra pints during the final, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPC) – boosting the economy to the tune of £5 million.
Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: ‘Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit and championing inclusivity in sport, and we expect the pubs will be packed by those cheering on our fantastic squads.’
The Home Office can relax pub licensing hours for events of ‘exceptional national significance’.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘I want to wish the best of luck to [manager] Sarina Wiegman and the England squad, who we hope will bring it home once again and continue on as champions of Europe.’
Pubs can stay open until 1am with England’s women set to take on Spain in the Europeanj Championships final in Switzerland
Excitement has been building since England’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy in Tuesday’s semi-final
As the team prepared to defend their title in Basel, the Home Office yesterday confirmed licensing hours will be extended across England and Wales
Venues were allowed to open later for Tuesday’s semi-final, which saw 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang score a 96th-minute equaliser before England went on to beat the Italians in extra time.
That nail-biting triumph followed the quarter-final against Sweden, with the Lionesses again needing the additional 30 minutes and a long penalty shootout to emerge as winners.
Despite anticipation for ringing tills during the tournament, pub bosses said they had been struggling in the face of higher costs since Labour’s Budget.
The BBPA said yesterday that English pubs are taxed unfairly in comparison to their European counterparts.
It estimates England fans will pay £500,000 in duty on the extra pints poured, while supporters in Spain would pay approximately £48,000 for the same quantity.
Britons are also set to get into the football spirit by splashing out an estimated £6.8 million on sportswear and £2.6 million on electricals, said VoucherCodes.
