Pubs pull in crowds for World Cup

Publicans saw a good rise in trade over the World Cup weekend with some pubs reporting business up by as much as 50 per cent.

Licensees across the country reported busy trade during the World Cup matches especially those of the England and Ireland teams. Mick Carty, licensee of the Triple Crown in Richmond, Surrey, said: "business was good, up by about 50 per cent for the England and Ireland matches."

Kerry Bell, deputy manager of the Litten Tree in Croydon, South London, said: "We opened at 10am on the Sunday for the England match and were really busy."

Karen Kelshaw, spokesperson for the British Beer & Pub Association said initial feedback suggested pub operators had been pleased with the turnout. She added: "General feedback from our members has been that it has gone very well and has been a great success."

Clive Smith, spokesman for pub operator Eldridge Pope, said: "It was an extremely successful exercise, the pubs were packed and there was no trouble. People were in extremely good spirits." Eldridge Pope had over 50 pubs opening early for the matches with some of its sites in Torquay and Southampton reporting people queuing outside to get the best seats. Its new World Cup website, www.watch-it-here.com, has proved so popular that the company plans to retain it to inform people about all future sports events in its pubs.

Meanwhile, the government has launched a campaign focusing on the dangers of morning drinking and driving during the World Cup. The £200,000 radio advertising campaign is part of its latest anti-drink-drive campaign and is part of the government's long-term road safety strategy.