The Leader of Plymouth City Council has slammed the Government for not planning earlier and making arrangements to relax licensing laws, enabling pubs and venues to open at 10am on Sunday for the Football World Cup Final.
In a letter from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities Minister for Intergovernmental Relations to all councils and the police, he asks that enforcers turn a blind eye to licensing rules, enabling as many venues as possible to open and sell alcohol for the England v Spain match.
Whilst it is expected that many venues will be able to show the game within their usual opening hours and permitted hours for the sale of alcohol, there may be a few who require additional permission to do so if their licence has a later opening hour or later hour to start the sale of alcohol.
At this late stage there is insufficient time to request and consider extending hours for opening or sale of alcohol, since the Government’s legal framework requires 5 working days.
Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans, said: “It’s fantastic that the Lionesses have made it through to the final and I am sure many residents and visitors will be looking forward to watching the big game on Sunday morning.
“Unfortunately, the Government left it too late to relax the licensing laws, which means we can’t grant permission for earlier licences in order for venues to open earlier and sell alcohol. And Councils do have to work within the law.
“No one wants to a party pooper on these occasions, and I know that everyone, even our enforcement officers, will be glued to their televisions this Sunday.
“The whole country has been brought together by their journey through the tournament so far. Regardless of whether the Lionesses win or lose, they have helped to grow the game by inspiring a generation of young people to walk in their footsteps and take up football themselves. The team have done the country proud.
“Come on England!”