Licensing extension for showing World Cup games not supported by police association

The news follows the BBPA’s recent letter to Home Officer minister Norman Baker MP calling for the extension, which would allow pubs to show matches that don’t start until 11pm.

The World Cup is taking place in Brazil and with the time difference kick-offs will range from 5pm to 2am (UK time).

But a spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said: "We don’t support a national extension of licensing hours for the World Cup. The vast majority of kick-off times and matches will take place during normal licensing hours and those few with 11pm kick-off times that could be of interest should be dealt with at a local level through individual applications to licensing committees."

"Disappointing"​

The BBPA said the stance was "disappointing".

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: "We will keep raising the issue. It would create a good atmosphere around the competition, with only a small minority able to travel to Brazil, and it is important for pubs.

"We’re only asking for the first and last weekend. For most people, pubs will be the best place to enjoy the games. It would not cause problems, and would be a boost."

Temporary Event Notices​

If an extension does not get the go-ahead, pubs will have to apply for temporary event notices (TENs) through their local authority.

Jeremy Phillips, licensing specialist and myBarrister.co.uk associate, who took a case to the High Court to enable licence extensions for pubs for the 2002 World Cup, said: "This won’t go down well. The trade was hit by the smoking ban and duty on beer, so it would be hugely grateful if the Government would help with standard extensions for relevant games."

But he conceded that if the Government backed relaxed licensing it might find it politically "dangerous" if there was an increase in disorder.