Pubs looking for Olympic opening hours extension

Pubs could be in for an Olympic boost with at least one London council looking to extend opening hours during next year's summer games.

Westminster City Council is examining the possibility of letting pubs and clubs stay open later due to the huge influx of tourists expected for the Olympics.

It is believed the council - usually known for its tough stance regarding licensing - is considering loosening opening hours as many people will be travelling back to the area after events each day.

And licensees in the area have told The Publican​ they would welcome the opportunity to increase their trade.

Gene Hughes, of the Globe in Covent Garden, said: "The move would be good for our business and I would keep the pub open. I don't think opening hours should have been capped originally."

And Lauren Bowles of Walkers of Whitehall also backed the proposal.

"I see the extension of opening hours as a positive proposal. We are already planning to show the Olympics on our television screens," she said.

Kate Nicholls, secretary of the Westminster Licensees Association, said while the news would be good for the area's pubs it should be dealt with on a national basis - in a similar way to the blanket opening hours extension granted for this year's Royal Wedding.

She said: "It is being talked about at a sensible level at Westminster and they have started engaging with the trade to find out what the likely uptake would be.

"However I would hope this would be looked at on a national level because it is not just a Westminster issue and it would lessen the administrative burden."

A spokeswoman for Westminster City Council said the possibility of extending opening hours was being looked at but no decisions had been made.