How can pubs stay open later for England v Italy on Sunday 11 July?

09-Jul-2021 - Last updated on 09-Jul-2021 at 09:31 GMT

Extended service: the temporary change to licensing laws means pubs can trade for an extra three quarters of an hour during the final match of the UEFA Euros tournament (image: Getty/SolStock)

Further details about the relaxation of licensing laws, permitting pubs to stay open later on Sunday (11 July) for the UEFA Euro 2020 final have been revealed.

The Government confirmed pubs will be allowed to remain trading for an additional 45 minutes for the England v Italy match this weekend.

The Licensing Act 2003 (2020 UEFA European Championship Licensing Hours) Order 2021 has now been laid in Parliament, licensing experts Poppleston Allen stated.

While this is draft legislation, it should come into force tomorrow (Saturday 10 July) and will allow licensing hours to be extended for the final.

The draft order applies to England and Wales and means the hours for the sale of alcohol and entertainment have been extended until 11.15pm – allowing for extra time and penalties in the game but it should be noted, the order explicitly states 11.15pm.

Premises licence

This is permitted as long as the premise licence of club premises certificate permits licensable activities between 9am and 11.59pm on Sunday 11 July, Poppleston Allen added.

Therefore, if a pub’s premise licence states the sale of alcohol ends at 10.30pm on Sundays, this means, for the final only, this would be extended until 11.15pm.

It applies to any venue with a premises licence or club premises certificate that is not otherwise prohibited from opening under step three of the Government’s roadmap.

The draft order also means venues to be used for the provision of late-night refreshment (such as hot food and soft drinks after 11pm), between 11pm and 11.15pm but only if during that time, the venue may also be used for the sale or supply of alcohol.

Poppleston Allen said venues that only provide late-night refreshment do not benefit from the extension.

Further details

Operators should note that there is no mention of drinking up time but the licensing experts stated “it is to be hoped common sense will prevail as previously and the drinking up time as currently allowed on premises licences will apply”.

Poppleston Allen partner Andy Grimsey added: “The draft order does not distinguish between on and off-sales of alcohol, and therefore both are extended, meaning premises which have external areas can continue sales to those outside areas until 11.15pm, subject to any specific conditions stating otherwise.

“Off-licences too will have their permissions extended until 11.15pm. Readers will be aware that the Business & Planning Act permits off-sales for on-only licences subject to certain criteria and a cut-off time of 11pm, but in our view the draft order extends this period for 11 July until 11.15pm (again subject to any specific conditions otherwise).

“Further details to follow.”