Keir Starmer is exploring ways to keep pubs open into the early hours of Monday after facing backlash over strict licensing rules that would force many venues to close during England’s next World Cup game.
The team’s win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday night booked a last-16 tie against Mexico that is due to run until at least 3am UK time.
The government has already relaxed licensing rules to reflect the time difference with the US, Mexico and Canada. For matches kicking off between 5pm and 9pm, pubs can stay open until 1am. For kick-offs after 9pm, they can remain open until 2am.
To stay open beyond those times, however, venues must apply for a temporary event notice at least five working days in advance. Pubs that had not anticipated England reaching this stage of the tournament are now unable to apply.
The business minister Kate Dearden said the government would “unfortunately” not relax the rules further to cover Monday morning’s match.
“Pubs can stay open for an extra two or three hours depending on when the match starts,” she said. “Unfortunately that doesn’t apply with the 1am start, but we are absolutely backing our pubs going forward so we can support our lads.”
The Guardian understands, however, that the prime minister is examining whether – and how – pubs could be allowed to remain open.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is among the senior political figures calling for an emergency extension to licensing hours.
A spokesperson said: “The mayor is urging local authorities in the capital to work closely with the hospitality industry to allow pubs to stay open into the early hours of Monday morning, so that Londoners can back our pubs and cheer on in England as they take on Mexico.”
One Labour MP described the government response as “hopeless”, adding: “It is mostly small independent businesses [that] will be caught out by this.”
Jason Cleary, who runs The Hodcarrier pub in Leamington Spa, said his application to stay open late for the potential fixture had been refused because he “didn’t give five working days’ notice”.
Warwick district council said it was legally unable to consider temporary event notices submitted outside the statutory notice period of five working days.
Stella Creasy, the Labour (Co-op) MP for Walthamstow, said pubs in her constituency were struggling.
“Independent breweries such as those in the Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow are the lifeblood of communities like mine. Councils and ministers must find a way to sort this so they can continue to provide a fantastic fan experience and support them to help us cheer England on in our locals, not be stuck outside on the streets.”
Emma McClarkin, the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We remain in close contact with the government about concerns raised by publicans who want to show the match but haven’t got temporary event notices in place. It would be a crying shame for fans and pubs if our locals weren’t able to host such an important match.”
