economy
Can Starmer’s late-night World Cup openings help Britain’s struggling pubs?
While venues could stay open until 2am, rising costs remain a far bigger concern for many landlords
TL;DR
- Pubs can apply for extended hours until 1am or 2am for World Cup matches featuring home nations.
- The relaxation of licensing rules is due to the time difference with the tournament's co-hosts in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
- The actual number of eligible late-night games may be fewer due to tournament permutations.
- Some pubs, especially those licensed to close early on Sundays, might need special temporary event notices to stay open for the final.
- While the World Cup is predicted to boost overall beer sales significantly, the impact of late hours on struggling pubs is debated.
- Rising costs, including VAT, business rates, wages, national insurance, and energy bills, are a major concern for the hospitality sector.