Lords approve extended pub licensing for Euro 202 (2024)

The House of Lords has approved extended licensing hours for pubs during this summer's Euro 2024tournament in order for football fans to 'get properly on the lash'.

The order, which is now ready for royal assent, will allow premises to remain open until 1am withouthaving to notify the licensing authority.

The only catch is that it relies on either England or Scotland reaching the semi-final or final of the tournament, which begins on June 14 with Scotland's match against hosts Germany.

Conservative peer Lord Sharpe of Epsom, told the Lords: 'So much of the business at the Home Offices is difficult, so it gives me particular pleasure that my last outing basically enables people to get properly on the lash.

'My Lords, please drink responsibly.'

Earlier Lord Sharpe had pointed out that existing legislation facilitated relaxed opening hours 'to mark occasions of exceptional international, national or local significance.'

He said: 'And as I hope Your Lordships will agree, the progression of England and Scotland, or both, to the late stages of the competition would represent just such an occasion.

'Should that happen people will want to come together in celebration and support of the home nation teams.'

Lord Sharpe said that during a Home Office consultation, more than 80% of respondents were in favour of the extended licensing.

He added: 'However, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the police are not in favour of extending licensing hours given the potential for increased disorder.

'Police deployments and resourcing are operational matters, of course, but I'm sure forces will, as they have in the past, put in place plans to minimise the risk.

'It's also worth pointing out that this is a limited, two-hour extension to licensing hours, which is a proportionate approach to mark these events.'

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Addington said the measures are 'very reasonable and it sets a good precedent for actually when having an extra bit of celebration for a major event.'

The extended opening hours will only come into play on the days England or Scotland play in the matches and do not apply tobusinesses that sell alcohol to be consumed off premises such as supermarkets and off-licences.

Gareth Southgate's side play their first game on June 16 against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen before heading off to Frankfurt for a clash against Denmark on June 20.

They finish off the group stages with a matchagainst Slovenia in Cologne on June 25.

But the Three Lions will be hoping to go much further in the tournament and possibly go one better than last time when they fell short against Italy in the final at Wembley in 2021.

England are among the favourites according to most bookmakers so fans will have their fingers crossed that the summer of football will extend well into July.

The two semi-finals will take place on July 9 and 10 with both kicking off at 8pm UK time. The final of Euro 2024 is on July 14 and will also start at 8pm.

This means the new orderto the Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA European Football Championship Licensing Hours) will allow fans a couple of extra hours to celebrate in the pub should their team win in the big games.

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