St George's Day extensions granted as campaign gains ground

Pubs are winning the battle for extended hours to celebrate St George's Day with an unprecedented number of extensions approved already.

Bedford brewer Charles Wells, which has been leading a campaign for wider recognition for the national event, says more than 30 of its Eagle Inns pubs have been granted extended hours for the day and many more are in the pipeline.

Licensees at the pubs are planning huge parties and events to mark the occasion and the brewer has been running a series of initiatives based around its Bombardier ale brand to raise the profile of St George's Day.

This week the company, along with other trade leaders, hit out at London Mayor Ken Livingstone for failing to support St George's Day celebrations even though he granted public money to the organisers of the St Patrick's Day festivities.

Charles Wells spokeswoman Sarah McGhie said it was unfair that the mayor was happy to support Ireland's national day, but not prepared to fully support England's St George's Day.

Now licensees are being urged to join the campaign by submitting requests for licence extensions to mark the event.

Rick Robinson, licensee of the Willoughby Arms in Kingston, Surrey, is planning a huge St George's Day beer festival. He has been supporting the occasion for the last six years with drinks offers, a choice of 50 different beers, typical English food and themed events.

"I think it's admirable that Charles Wells is doing so much to make it a national holiday and supporting the campaign with Bombardier. Other brewers should show their support as well.

"I have actually refused to open late on St Patrick's Day in favour of St George's Day, which is very untypical of the pubs around here."

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