England's World Cup final beer laws spark rebellion

author: FutureCar Staff    

England's Lionesses are gearing up to face Spain in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, marking a historic moment for the country. However, there is a hurdle that threatens to dampen the celebratory atmosphere. Archaic licensing laws in England may prevent fans from enjoying a traditional pint of ale during the game.

It has been 57 years since England's football teams reached a World Cup final, with the men's team triumphing in 1966. Now, the Lionesses have made it to the final, but the timing of the game poses a challenge. The match, which is being hosted by Australia, kicks off at 11 a.m. U.K. time, before many pubs are legally allowed to serve alcohol.

England's strict licensing laws dictate specific hours during which pubs can serve alcohol, and these hours vary depending on the local council's license. As a result, most pubs are unlikely to be able to sell alcohol until after the game has started.

However, there is a possibility for these rules to be temporarily relaxed on special occasions. The British Beer and Pub Association, an industry group, is calling for a temporary nationwide tweak that would allow pubs to serve alcohol from 10 a.m. specifically for the day of the final.

Unfortunately, this change would require approval from parliament, which is currently in recess. The government has stated that it will not recall MPs from their summer holidays, instead relying on persuasion to address the issue. Michael Gove, the Leveling Up Secretary, has written to councils urging them to do everything they can to support pubs in opening earlier.

However, some believe that this approach falls short. The Liberal Democrats, who have a reputation for demanding the cancellation of the Commons recess, argue that parliament should be brought back immediately to make the necessary change. They see this as an opportunity for the government to score a "last minute winner" for both pubs and the Lionesses.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the length of time since England's last World Cup final.

FutureCar Staff