Boris Johnson: 'The pub is one of the best places to watch the World Cup'

In a letter written to British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds yesterday (11 June), the Mayor of London also highlighted his decision to extend London’s night bus service and introduce special marshalled taxi ranks to ensure fans watching England’s matches in the pub can get home safely.

He said: “I could not agree with you more that one of the best places to watch England’s World Cup games, or indeed any sporting event of national importance, is in one of London’s many fantastic pubs.

“I know that the England vs Italy game, with its late kick off, will finish after all London Underground services have departed central London. This is why, working with Transport for London (TfL), we will bolster our wonderful and already extensive night bus service to get everyone home safely.”

Bus service​

He added that more than 100 extra buses will work throughout the night, taking the total number running when the England vs Italy game (on Saturday, 14 June) ends to a total of nearly 1,000.

“Around 95 per cent of Londoners live no more than 400 metres from a bus stop, so this is by far the best way of ensuring we can get people home wherever they live in London,” he added.

“The bus service is also very flexible and can respond effectively to any last minute changes to the finish time of the match.

“TfL will also ensure than special marshalled taxi ranks will be in place for people who would prefer to get home that way.”

The BBPA, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and pub operators had expressed their disappointment earlier this week at TfL’s decision to not extend Tube opening times in the capital on the days of the World Cup’s later matches.