BOOZERS will be allowed to extend their opening hours to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year, ministers will announce today. (sun)
Pubs, clubs and bars will be given a two-hour licensing extension that will allow them to serve drinks until 1am during the three-day summer celebration.
Ministers hope the move will help fuel a blockbuster weekend which will boost the hospitality trade recovering from two years of pandemic restrictions.
A four-day Bank Holiday weekend will take place in early June to toast Her Majesty’s 70-year reign.
The government will consult the public on extending licensing hours from the normal 11pm to 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 2 to 4.
Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said: “The Queen embodies the spirit of public service.
“Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has led us with the best of British values – steadfastness in the face of adversity, a remarkable dignity, and a willingness to always put the country first.
“The Platinum Jubilee is an unprecedented occasion and I am delighted that we will be able to mark this celebration in such a special way – including by giving people a long Bank Holiday weekend and extending pub opening hours.
“The last few years have been difficult for us all. I know that that families, friends and communities across the UK and the Commonwealth will want to come together and celebrate the truly outstanding achievements of Her Majesty The Queen.
“I would invite Sun on Sunday readers to join me in June by raising a glass to toast Her Majesty The Queen – long may she reign over us.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries added: “Next year we will celebrate an unprecedented milestone in our national life. No other British monarch has served for 70 years and it is fitting that, as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, we toast Her Majesty for her dedication and service.
“It will be a year of pride, celebration and coming together with the Platinum Jubilee alongside our other blockbuster events including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Unboxed, championing creativity in the UK.”
Under Section 172 of the Licensing Act, the Home Secretary can make a licensing hours order, giving permission to premises to open for specified, extended hours to mark occasions of exceptional international, national or local significance.
Past national occasions where the government has extended licensing hours have included the Royal Wedding in 2018, the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, the FIFA World Cup in 2014, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the Royal Wedding in 2011.
Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will include Trooping the Colour, the lighting of beacons, a Service of Thanksgiving, a concert, Platinum Pageant and nation-wide street parties.
The Jubilee will form one of the three main pillars of landmark events taking place next year alongside Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Unboxed festival, in addition to other events such as Coventry City of Culture and the centenary of the BBC.
