Pubs furious at alcohol restrictions for rugby matches

Licensees at rugby pubs are furious at being restricted to selling alcohol for just three games of the 11-match British & Irish Lions tour.

All of the matches kick-off at 8.10am and a number of pubs in Richmond, Surrey, had been hoping to receive licence extensions for all games - not just to the three test matches.

But police in the borough have placed restrictions on pubs over fears of public disorder.

To make matters worse, pubs elsewhere in the country have been granted extensions for all 11 games.

Joe Clarke, licensee at the Sun in Richmond - just a mile away from British rugby's spiritual home at Twickenham - said: "This is awful. We are a big rugby pub and we've already got bookings from companies for all of the games. It will be a shame if they can't get a pint while they're watching.

"Only the dedicated rugby fans will come to the pub for the mid-week games, and they're not likely to cause trouble."

The tour kicks off a week on Saturday (June 4) when Sir Clive Woodward's men face Bay of Plenty at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Richard Stearn, licensee at the Orange Tree, in Richmond, Surrey, is also unhappy. "The police seem to think it would not be worth our while to open properly for the other games, but we've already had many enquiries," he said. "They are worried about early morning drinking."

Sgt Peter Davies, licensing officer at Richmond Police, said: "We have to draw a line somewhere. It's a matter of importance.

"Rugby test matches are a special occasion, whereas the other games are regarded in the same way as qualifying matches. We would not allow an early licence if it was the England football team playing a qualifying match."

He added that the police were concerned about the prospect of anti-social behaviour after the matches. "A lot of these problems are alcohol fuelled in our borough," he said.

However, the restrictions appear to be particularly unfair in light of the situation elsewhere. In Nottingham, the Southbank Bar has been granted a licence to serve alcohol during all 11 games. Licensee Steve Willans said: "We'll be opening at 7am for the matches and we expect to be busy for all of them."

• Has your pub had problems applying for extended hours for the Lions' tour ? Call The Publican on 020 8565 3054.