BBPA calls on police to back World Cup pubs
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called on police and local authorities "not to invent unnecessary regulations" for pubs around the World Cup.
The plea comes in the light of the Home Office document, seen by the Morning Advertiser, urging police to increase enforcement of pubs before and during the World Cup, including stepping up visits to venues, test purchase operations, and risk assessments.
"We urge Government, the police and local authorities to work with the pub industry and take a much more positive approach to the World Cup," said BBPA's director of communications Mark Hastings.
"We would urge the police and authorities not to invent unnecessary rules and regulations, but to work with pubs and use their expertise to help ensure that the World Cup is an occasion that brings communities across Britain together to follow a great event at a great venue - the pub."
Hastings added: "This festival of football should be a great national event. Government, police and local authorities should be backing the pub as the best and safest place to enjoy the tournament. Week in week out, pubs prove they are the natural home for fans wanting to watch the big match. They have been providing a well-managed and fun environment for World Cup, Premier League, Champions League, European Championships matches and a host of other sporting events for many years.
"They have a wealth of experience in how to do this enjoyably and safely and will be applying that extensive knowledge to ensure this Worlds Cup is a great success. That's why fans flock to the pub to watch football. They know if you can't be at the match there's no better place to be than the pub for that big match atmosphere."
