May 16 – Nothing says England more than necking pints and watching football at the local pub – and this summer, bleary-eyed punters will have an extra excuse to tell their bosses they’re “working from home” should England or Wales reach the business end of the UEFA Women’s European Championships.
In a moment of rare governmental generosity, the Home Office has announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am – a full two hours after the usual “drink up please” bell – for an event deemed of “exceptional national significance.” One can only assume fans have seen the price of a hotel room in Switzerland for their reason to stay home.
“Nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams,” said policing minister Dame Diana Johnson.
As defending champions, the Lionesses are expected to roar deep into the tournament, while Wales – making their debut appearance – have been drawn in the same group as England, setting up a potentially messy night of cross-border rivalry that publicans across the UK are already stocking extra glassware for.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, called the decision “a positive and progressive move that recognises the growing popularity of women’s football and its cultural significance across the UK.”
Meanwhile, British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin waxed lyrical with the groundbreaking observation that “the pub is the home of live sport.”
“Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit,” she added, in what might be the most diplomatic description of watching grown adults sing ‘It’s Coming Home’.
The two semi-finals will take place on July 22 and 23, with the final scheduled for July 27 in Basel – meaning patriotic boozers will still need to deploy the time-honored tradition of asking for a lock-in during the group stages and early knockout rounds if they want to continue their liquid support.
So, there you have it, football fans – the government’s summer gift to the nation: the opportunity to stay up later, drink more, and be substantially less productive at work the following day.
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