England kick off their World Cup last-16 tie with Mexico at 1am UK time on Monday. The match is not expected to finish before 3am, and it could run later if it goes to penalties. The government let pubs in England and Wales stay open until 5am for it, and police leaders say they got too little warning.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council called it a “late announcement.” In a joint statement, its football and alcohol policing leads, Mark Roberts and Scott Green, said the team’s likely route through the tournament “has been known for a considerable time.” Forces now have to rewrite their plans at short notice, they said, which means “officers working extended shifts which in turn takes them away from communities.”
Their worry is specific. Knockout games at earlier tournaments brought more violent incidents in the night-time economy, and more domestic abuse. “This is directly linked to alcohol consumption,” the statement said. The council asked fans to be considerate and to drink within sensible limits.
How the decision came about
Licensing hours had already been stretched for the tournament, and the government first said it would not go further. Then, late on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said pubs could stay open until the end of the game. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed told broadcasters the earlier measures “hadn’t covered the eventuality of England playing so late in the night.” He called it “one of the fastest changes in the law that we’ve seen.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the government announced its plans “as quickly as possible” once England’s progression was confirmed on Wednesday evening, and had worked with police throughout its World Cup preparations. England only reached the last 16 by beating DR Congo 2-1.
Who is opening, and who is not
For publicans the change is good news. Greene King said more than 600 of its pubs in England would open late, and Marston’s said more than 400 would. Priyesh Bathia, who runs the Elephant and Barrel in Stockwell, south London, said he was “so thankful.” Between 100 and 150 people had already booked tables.
Cramptons Sports Bar in Broadstairs, Kent, plans to give out free bacon sandwiches and water after the match. It sold more than 1,350 pints during England’s Saturday game, more than on New Year’s Eve.
Not everyone is keen. Miranda Richardson, landlady of The Squirrels in Duston, Northamptonshire, decided not to open. Her pub sits in the middle of a village, and “having people pouring out at three, four, five in the morning is not conducive to my neighbourhood.” Late-night pay rises and expensive door staff would add to the bill, she said, and most of her customers told her they would watch at home. Wetherspoons will open five of its more than 800 pubs.
Jo Watling, general secretary of the UK Hospitality Union, warned that the gain for businesses must not “come at the expense of the workers.” A short-notice request to work late, she said, “can feel far from optional,” and staff will have little time to arrange childcare or transport.
Work and school on Monday
The TUC asked employers to “show some common sense and understanding” by letting staff work from home or start later. The British Chambers of Commerce said that is harder on manufacturing lines and in frontline retail and hospitality. The National Education Union’s Daniel Kebede said he would like to see “a bit of a flexible start” for schools, while Education Secretary Bridget Philipson asked parents to make sure children are in school.
Sources
- UK police criticize late pub hours extention for England World Cup match
- World Cup: Police criticise timing of decision on pubs staying open for England match
