Pub goers will be able to raise a toast to veterans for an extra
two hours to celebrate next month's historic 80th
anniversary of VE day.
With parties planned across the country on Thursday 8th May,
Prime Minister has ordered pubs and bars
across the country to be able to keep serving until 1am to
celebrate.
This will mean venues with a usual closing time of 11pm will be
able to keep their doors open for a further two hours on the day,
allowing people to continue their celebrations of the
milestone.
Prime Minister said:
“As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the whole
country should come together to remember the incredible
sacrifices made by the wartime generation and to celebrate the
peace and freedom they secured for us all.
"Keeping our pubs open for longer will give people the
opportunity to join in celebrations and raise a glass to all of
the men and women who served their country, both overseas
and at home.”
Pub licensing hours can be relaxed to mark occasions of
‘exceptional national significance', and the government is keen
that everyone is able to raise a glass and celebrate those who
served during the Second World War.
Similar extensions to pub hours have previously been used for
major Royal celebrations and significant sporting events, such as
the Euro 2024 final.
As well as bringing people together for longer, the extension is
due to be a welcomed boost to the hospitality industry.
The VE Day commemorations will start on Bank Holiday Monday, with
the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a military procession from
Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, and an RAF flypast over London.
On Thursday 8th May, a day of celebrations across the country
will culminate in a party at London's Horse Guards
Parade, televised live on BBC One, with more than 10,000
members of the public attending the event to see performances by
stars from the stage and screen.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub
Association said:
"This is a momentous occasion and, as the nation's second home,
the pub is the perfect place for communities to gather and raise
a glass to all of those who made huge sacrifices for our
freedom.
"Extending licensing hours will mean people can come together for
longer, nurture community spirit, and allow pubs to host even
more commemorative events that honour our veterans and heroes and
celebrate peace."
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality
said:
"The 80th anniversary of VE day will see communities across
the country come together to mark the special occasion, with many
gathering in their local pubs to do so.
"I'm pleased the Government is extending licensing hours for the
celebrations, which will see thousands raising a glass in tribute
to those who served in the war."
Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
said:
“As someone with a strong family background in the armed forces,
I know how vital it is to honour the legacy of those who served.
“VE Day is not only a moment of remembrance but also an
opportunity for communities to come together. At such a
challenging time for the hospitality sector, allowing businesses
to extend their trading hours during these celebrations offers a
much-needed boost while paying tribute to our shared
history.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The extension of licencing hours is made under Section 172 of
the Licensing Act, which gives the Secretary of State the power
to make regulations to relax licencing hours for occasions of
exceptional international, national or local significance.
- This power is used sparingly and each request is considered
on a case-by-case basis.
- The Home Office will lay an SI in Parliament to deliver this
change so that it can be considered for approval by Parliament
ahead of 8 May.
