Doors open early for rugby kick-off

Licensees are expecting a bumper month ahead following the kick-off of the Rugby World Cup.

Pubs up and down the UK have applied for extended opening hours in the morning to show some games, which will be shown as early as 5.30am due to the time difference in Australia.

Bob Cartwright, spokesman for Mitchells & Butlers, said: "Many of our pubs have applied for an early opening hours and in almost all cases this has gone without a problem. The World Cup will be a big boost to pubs. England being tournament favourites will only heighten the interest."

Regent Inns' bar brand Walkabout has secured early opening hours in all but one of its venues.

Walkabout spokeswoman Kylie Pagent said: "We've been granted early licences in 43 Walkabout venues - it is going to be massive. We wanted to show all the home nations' matches live whatever the time."

The Famous Three Kings in Fulham, London, has been given permission by magistrates to serve alcohol from 5am.

Licensee Richard Marshall-Duffield said: "We are delighted we have been granted the hours we want to maximise the opportunities presented by the World Cup. We understand rugby fans like to enjoy a cold pint while watching the match. But we are being sensible about it and will be offering food and will not be serving spirits before normal licensing hours."

The mood isn't quite so expectant in Scotland according to chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association Paul Waterson.

He said: "The team isn't doing very well so there isn't much interest!

"I've no doubt there are pockets of people who applied for early opening hours and they shouldn't have any problems getting them but to be honest I haven't even heard anyone talking about it."

Although licensees won't expect quite the same level of success, last year's football World Cup in Japan and Korea generated a huge rise in turnover. It was estimated that England's second round match against Denmark alone generated £70m to £80m.