Pubs are set to enjoy a boost during the World Cup as Keir Starmer advocates for them to serve drinks outside. The government has approved beer gardens to screen matches, encouraging town halls to cut through bureaucracy for English pubs. Millions of additional pints are projected to be sold, providing much-needed revenue for struggling establishments. The Prime Minister emphasized the communal spirit of watching football together in pubs and supported the idea of patrons enjoying drinks outside while soaking up the game’s atmosphere.
Guidelines have been issued to facilitate outdoor food and drink service at pubs. Pubs will have extended opening hours for all knockout matches and games involving England and Scotland. Communities Secretary Steve Reed urged councils to swiftly approve requests from pubs looking to serve customers outdoors and stay open late to avoid disrupting fans during crucial moments like penalty shootouts.
In the event that England reaches the final, pubs are expected to sell an extra 55 million pints. This translates to around 1,240 additional pints per pub on average or approximately 14 extra kegs throughout the tournament. The Mirror has been a staunch supporter of the pub industry through initiatives like the “Your Pub Needs You” campaign, as many pubs have faced closure in recent years. Pub owners and tenants are counting on Harry Kane and the national team to bring a much-needed boost to their businesses.
