Pubs gear up for St George as extensions are granted
Licensees are finally winning the hard-fought battle to have St George's Day recognised as a special day of importance.
Shani Rogers, who runs the Beacon in South Ham, Basingstoke, Hampshire, and David Wiggins, licensee of the Prince of Wales in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, are among those who have won an hour extension on their licence on April 23.
Ms Rogers told The Publican: "I'm English and wanted to be able to celebrate the day properly so we decided to get support from our customers and even the mayor.
"When I applied for the extension I went with a 200-signature petition and made it very clear that I wanted it because it was St George's Day and not just a charitable event.
"On Wednesday the magistrates responded by granting a special order of exemption on the grounds of St George's Day, which is brilliant. Everyone is really excited now, we're going to offer a full English breakfast until 6pm, have an evening buffet and hold raffles with prizes. It should be a great day."
Magistrates are generally reluctant to grant exemptions for the national saint's day, claiming it is not a day of special importance.
Licensees have often been forced to hold a fund-raising event to add a few extra hours of opening time.
At the Prince of Wales David Wiggins said: "The magistrate actually supported me doing something more English. I can't understand why there's a problem with this and I feel sorry for those who haven't been successful.
"Now we have it we're planning a big celebration and have organised all-day karaoke as part of the event. The man who is running that is even called George and I'm sure we'll have a great time."
Not everyone has been so lucky. While Tony Bennett at the Otter in Drayton, Norfolk, has been granted an extra hour, he was one of the licensees who had to agree to make it a charitable event.
Mr Bennett said: "The problem is that there's no consistency. The magistrates here are so fickle it's always hit or miss. I hope that the success of others will change this. Maybe next year people will take the day more seriously."
Grab a guide
Bombardier Bitter has got into the spirit of St George's Day by launching a guide on how to get the most out of the special day. Licensees looking to set up activities on April 23 can download the guide from www.thevalueofstgeorge.com
Hydes' brew
Hydes Brewery is once again brewing its special St George's Day ale to celebrate the day. The bitter has an ABV of 4.3 per cent and is brewed using English pale ale malt and fuggle hops. It is available in Hydes' pubs throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire from the middle of April.
Cash in
Research commissioned by Charles Wells - in consultation with the British Tourist Authority - estimates that England is missing out on additional consumer expenditure of £38.8m, and that pubs could net an extra £14.1m if St George's Day was celebrated in the same way as St Patrick's Day. Four out of five people say that they would celebrate if the government made St George's Day a national holiday.
Related articles:
Bombardier bus hits the road for St George (14 April 2004)
Pub trade backs St George's Day campaign (14 April 2004)
Licensee goes to court for St George's Day extension (30 March 2004)
