Opening hours for pubs and bars have been extended in England and Wales over the June bank holiday celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Parliament is due to pass an order today that will extend the opening times, with Home Secretary Priti Patel saying the temporary change will provide a much-needed 'boost' to the hospitality industry after a prolonged period of difficulty.
However, the government agreed that, on this occasion, the order should not be extended to premises that sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, such as off-licences and supermarkets.
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Patel said: "For 70 years Her Majesty The Queen has served the UK and the Commonwealth with the utmost dignity, steadfastness and resolve.
"The Platinum Jubilee is a truly historic national occasion, which will see families, friends and communities across the country come together to celebrate this unprecedented landmark in a remarkable reign.
"Over the extended Bank Holiday weekend, we will be able to raise a glass to toast Her Majesty's incredible service to our country, while also providing a boost to the hospitality industry after a challenging couple of years."
The hours will be extended from 11pm to 1am, and will be in place from Thursday 2 June to Saturday 4 June, allowing punters to continue toasting Queen Elizabeth into the small hours.
Under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Home Secretary is able to make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of 'exceptional national significance'.
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Pubs have previously been granted extensions to opening times on other equally historic occasions, including the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2011 wedding and, of course, sporting events like the 2014 FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Euro 2020 final.
Two years ago, the government announced that Brits were set to get a four-day bank holiday weekend in June 2022 to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
It means the usual spring bank holiday - that is normally at the end of May - is moved to Thursday 2 June, while Friday 3 June is the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday, giving us all a nice four-day weekend.
The move is to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70th year on the throne - the first time any British monarch has hit their seventh decade of rule.
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The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has promised a 'celebration to remember', while the government has promised a schedule of events to recognise the milestone, and to 'reflect on the monarch's reign, and her impact on the UK and the world since 1952'.
Speaking in 2020, Dowden said: "Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee will be a truly historic moment - and one that deserves a celebration to remember.
"We can all look forward to a special, four-day Jubilee weekend, when we will put on a spectacular, once-in-a-generation show that mixes the best of British ceremonial splendour with cutting edge art and technology.
"It will bring the entire nation and the Commonwealth together in a fitting tribute to Her Majesty's reign."
Topics: UK News
Jess Hardiman