ESSEX pubs can stay open longer for the next England match that kicks off at 1am on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
The Government has signed-off on an extension of alcohol licensing hours for the night, removing the need for individual premises to apply to local councils for permission to extend their hours.
It is currently up to councils to decide whether pubs can stay open late to allow fans to watch the end of the match, with the Government's decision allowing them to get around the process for Monday's match.
England will face Mexico in the Round of 16 at the Fifa World Cup after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday.
The Liberal Democrats earlier called for a blanket extension for licensing hours, but No 10 said “it is for local councils to make those decisions”.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Secretary of State for Housing and Communities has written to councils to encourage them to sign off applications for pubs to extend their hours even further for these late games so that fans can enjoy the football.”
In a video posted to X, Mr Reed said: “There are still some councils that are saying no to the pubs, and my message to those councils is please say yes, do everything you can to get those doors open and the fans inside and I will back you all the way.”
Pubs will need a temporary event notice to show the match at all, as earlier licensing extensions only apply to matches that kick off between 9pm and 10pm.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said she had raised industry concerns about not getting approval to show the match.
She said: “We remain in close contact with 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.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel has called for children to stay up late and watch the match.
Asked if the Prime Minister backs that call, Downing Street said: “Parents will make their own decision on that.”
Sir Keir’s spokeswoman said: “We want everyone to enjoy the game but kids should be in school on Monday.
“The PM has his usual packed schedule on Monday, so he’ll be facing the same dilemma as everyone else on whether to stay up.
“Win or lose, I think millions of England supporters will be at work on Monday, and the PM will be doing the same.”
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith earlier said she planned to take a “disco nap” on Sunday afternoon and then stay up late to watch the match.
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