In a potentially welcome announced for the hospitality industry in England and Wales, the government has set out plans to extend licensing hours for the semi-finals and final of the men’s European Football Championships next year, should England, Wales or Scotland reach the final stages of the tournament.
In a public consultation launched 27 November 2023, the government has proposed that pub licensing hours in England and Wales should be extended from 11pm to 1am if any of the UK nations remaining in the tournament reach the latter two rounds in Germany.
The Home Secretary has the power to extend licensing hours for occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance”.
The plans, which will be subject to...