Opposition to royal wedding pub hours plan

The Government is pushing to let pubs open later during the royal wedding weekend despite significant opposition over fears of noise, nuisance and binge drinking, it has emerged

Three out of five (61%) groups or individuals who gave their view in a recent consultation opposed giving pubs automatic right to trade until 1am on Saturday 30 April, following the wedding on the Friday, and also on Sunday 1 May.

A similar proportion (61%) disagreed that the exemption should apply to all licensed premises — supermarkets have since been excluded from the proposal.

The Home Office has summarised responses to the two-week consultation on the plan — 713 responses were given in total.

The Home Office flags up three areas of concern highlighted by respondents: the burden on emergency services, the potential for noise and anti-social behaviour for residents, and fears that the plan "may be seen to encourage binge drinking".

However, the potential to help pubs increase their income was also pointed out, along with the advantage to local authorities of having to process fewer temporary events notices.

Meanwhile, some respondents feared that failure to include late-night refreshment in the order "may cause problems for restaurants or pubs that may provide food or hot drinks late at night". The provision was later included.

The likelihood of pubs being granted the later hours during the wedding increased dramatically last week when the Home Office laid an order in Parliament to grant the exemptions.

The order must still be approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, but it's not expected to be rejected.

• What are your plans for the royal wedding? Email wbua.uneevatgba@jeoz.pbz​.