Pubs will be able to put up a wider range of flags such as the rainbow ‘Pride’ flag, flags of sports clubs and award scheme flags from 12 October. Currently, businesses can display national sub-national, community and international flags; and the Armed Forces Day flag and other military flags without the need for consent.
There is also to be a relaxation in the number, size and siting of flags in all areas away from sensitive sites such as national parks or areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles said: “The widespread flag flying during the Royal Wedding, Diamond Jubilee and Olympics is evidence of a gradual cultural change in Britain. The British people are increasingly proud to fly flags as an expression of their local and national identities. Flags unite communities across colour, creed and class, so I am cutting municipal red tape to make it easier to fly Britain’s varied and diverse flags without state interference.
“Flags represent our sense of self, of the communities we belong to, our interests and beliefs and our pride in being British. I’ve been celebrating this sense of patriotic pride by flying a range of flags outside my department in recent months and look forward to seeing more flying around the country with the relaxation of these rules.”
Steve Culham of the Lion in Ardleigh, Essex, was forced to remove three rainbow flags from the front of his pub in August. He put the flags up on the front of his pub following the Queen’s Jubilee after his original flag was torn down during the celebrations.
In response to Government’s plans, he said: “It’s music to my ears. I am absolutely delighted. I hope it will help other pubs.
“I’ll be flying as many flags as I can. You won’t be able to poke a stick at me with all the flags I’ll have up. It’ll be flag central.”