Law U-turn for Mexico match 'massive' for industry

A pub boss has described the government's decision to allow bars to stay open until 05:00 BST on Monday to show England's World Cup match against Mexico as "absolutely massive" for the industry.

The last-16 match kicks off at 01:00 UK time, and the government U-turn follows vocal lobbying from MPs and the hospitality sector.

Adam Cook, operations manager at The Wharf Tavern, told the BBC earlier in the week that his licence application had been turned down by Solihull Council.

"The good news came yesterday that Keir Starmer changed his mind on it - it's absolutely welcome news for the pub trade," Cook said.

He said he expected a significant increase in sales as a result.

"It's great for our communities as well, to go to their local pub and watch England play, which we've done for years, and it was crazy we weren't being allowed to do that," Cook said.

"It's absolutely massive - I think we can easily triple, if not quadruple sales, which pubs desperately need right now.

"With high business rates and higher VAT compared to a lot of the places, it's absolutely massive for us."

On Wednesday, Solihull Council said the licence had originally been refused because the pub applied outside the specific working days condition required and there was "absolutely no wriggle room" under the law as it stood.

However, on Thursday evening, Sir Keir Starmer announced the U-turn, saying it was good news for both supporters and pubs.

Saqib Batty, MP for Meriden, had been among those urging the prime minister to change the law for the match.

"Licensing always plays an important role but this is a really exceptional circumstance, this is clearly a tough World Cup," he said.

"Our lads are going to be fighting really hard. They need to know that the whole country is behind them."

Confirming the change the prime minister said pubs would be permitted to remain open until 05:00 on the night of the match, which is not expected to finish until at least 03:00.

Licensing laws had already been relaxed to allow pubs to stay open until 01:00 for England knockout matches kicking off between 17:00 and 21:00, and until 02:00 for those between 21:00 and 22:00.

However, this did not cover 01:00 kick-offs, leaving pubs like The Wharf Tavern unable to secure permission in time under the original rules.

Philip Rooney, the owner of the HMV Empire in Coventry said he was hoping for a few hundred England fans to turn up to watch the game in the early hours of the morning.

He said: "We've been with England since the first kick of the game in the World Cup and the crowds are slowly, slowly building so hopefully, fingers crossed they can get by Mexico and we can have a big old knees up for Brazil."

Lewis McClaren, who was drinking at The Wharf Tavern with work colleagues, said: "Luckily enough we work for a great company that sort of let us have the day off for the Monday, so yes it will hopefully be messy."

Millie Shafie said she thought the atmosphere would be "weird".

"No-one's normally in the pub at that time, everyone's usually at home in bed asleep," she explained.

Harry Mullen said: "It will be an interesting situation to see the pub filled to the brim at half three-four in the morning."

But some groups have raised concerns about pubs being allowed to stay open until 05:00 and the timing of the prime minister's announcement.

The National Police Chiefs' Council said the "late" decision by government meant officers would have to be taken away from other duties and work longer hours

The UK Hospitality Union also warned the late opening would also "undoubtedly increase the risk of staff having to manage drunk, frustrated or aggressive customers late at night".

The NPCC also called on fans to be "considerate" and "drink within sensible limits".

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.