Blackpool licensees latest to win extended hours for World Cup
Licensees in Blackpool have become the latest to win extended hours for this year's World Cup matches.
Licensees Dave Daly of Cahoots, owned by Six Continents, and Wally Bishop of the Manchester, owned by Laurel, have been granted extensions for two England matches, against Sweden on June 2 and Nigeria on June 12.
Blackpool magistrates are one of only a handful of licensing benches that have allowed extensions for the football tournament, which is being played in Japan and South Korea meaning most matches kick off before pub opening times in the UK.
The two pubs, which both have a large capacity and sports theme, will be allowed to serve alcohol for the 10.30am kick-off on Sunday June 2 and again from 7am for the earlier start to the Nigeria match.
Many other benches have refused applications on the grounds that case law from the 1970s said the World Cup was not a participatory event and should not warrant extended hours.
But Mr Daly said both outlets had an unblemished reputation and were used to handling large crowds for screenings of football matches.
"The police had no objections and we agreed to have the usual measures in place such as CCTV, toughened glass and doorstaff," he added.
A High Court case challenging the case law is due to be heard on April 12. It is being led by pub operator Scottish & Newcastle and the British Beer and Pub Association. They will argue that times have changed and football in pubs is now very much a part of British culture.
It is hoped that a victory in court could clear the way for more extensions.
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Sky hopes match day quizzes will challenge World Cup rule (14 March 2002)
Pubs granted World Cup extensions (1 March 2002)
Pubs will fight to open early and serve alcohol for World Cup (28 February 2002)
Extensions for World Cup fail (14 February 2002)
Publican's bid to open early for World Cup looks bleak (7 February 2002)
World Cup opening hours face objections from police (15 November 2001)
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Pubs given nod to sell alcohol from 6am for World Cup matches (2 November 2001)
Early kick-off for World Cup means publicans may miss out on money-spinner (14 September 2001)
