Defoe's winner worth millions to pubs

Pubs are celebrating with relief after Jermain Defoe's goal against Slovenia rescued the trade from a disastrous World Cup.

Such was the suspected ease of England's qualifying group - which also contained football minnows the USA and Algeria - that many pubs had budgeted for increased takings from at least four World Cup matches.

However, after two limp draws before yesterday's decisive fixture it was looking as if England could fall at the first hurdle.

Failure to get past the group stage would have been devastating for thousands of pubs, many of which have built their summer around a successful campaign.

Defoe's winning goal was worth millions to the trade as it set up a second round clash with Germany that will boost trade for many pubs on Sunday lunchtime and evening.

Ian Payne, chairman of Town & City Pub Company, which owns brands such as Yates's and Litten Tree, said the Slovenia game was worth £425,000 for the business.

He said: "We have been planning this since August and budgeted for at least four games - so to go out early would have been a huge blow.

"All of our staff have been fantastic in getting into this and the atmosphere has been terrific."

Capital Pub Company, which has 28 pubs in London, is another that has reported a major boost in takings from the World Cup.

And Neil Robertson, chief executive of the BII, estimated that Defoe's goal could be worth around £8m to members.

He said: "Jermain Defoe's goal would have been met with a feeling of excitement and relief for licensees and customers alike.

"Not only will people have stayed in pubs to celebrate after the match but it also guarantees another fixture at a key trading time.

"It could be worth an extra £8m to pubs - and another win will just boost this even further. It goes without saying that going out at the group stage would have been particularly hard for pubs who had expected progression to at least the last 16."

Nigel Jones of the Railway Hotel in Blandford, Dorset, said that defeat against Slovenia would have hit staff hard.

"If England had got knocked we would have lost our vital weekly boost and staff hours would have had to have been cut," he said.

And Mark Daniels, licensee of the Tharp Arms in Chippenham, Newmarket, said the victory could potentially see takings trebled on Sunday.