Events
Cameron announces pub hours can be extended for Queen's birthday
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Question Time, Cameron said: “Subject to the usual conditions we will be extending opening hours on the 10 and 11 June this year to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.
“We have seen in budget after budget this Government supporting the pub industry as such an important part of our economy and important part of rural communities.”
No TEN
The Government has granted extended pub hours in the past for royal events including the Jubilee and Royal Wedding. This would mean that pubs would not have to apply for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) to open later for the celebrations.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) had previously asked the Government to consider a 1am closing time on those evenings. BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “It is great news that the Government is taking this forward.
Momentous
“I had written to the Home Office requesting that pubs can stay open to mark this momentous milestone for the Queen. On great national occasions such as this, pubs are the perfect place for people to come together and celebrate.”
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) welcomed the announcement.
“This is a sensible move to allow pubs and bars to join in with a national celebration and will alleviate the need for many costly and time-consuming TENs. Pubs and bars demonstrated that they were able to open longer without problem during the World Cup, a fact that the ALMR raised with Ministers earlier this year,” said ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls.
Social hubs
“Pubs are important social hubs and will be able to provide celebrations at the heart of their communities just as they did with the Royal Wedding and Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
"With the celebrations also coinciding with both Wales and England fixtures in Euro 2016, this will be a great opportunity for customers to relax and enjoy the day in the unique, celebratory atmosphere of a pub.”
