Getting kicked out of the pub at 11pm sharp when you fancy just one more has happened to the best of us, but on one day next month, you’ll have a little more time to play with as the country celebrates VE Day.
To mark 80 years since the end of World War II, the Prime Minister has announced that pubs across the country will be permitted to keep their doors open and their pints pouring for an extra two hours. Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am on Thursday, May 8, so if you’re partial to making that penultimate working day of the week a ‘thirsty’ one, this will be added music to your ears.
Speaking on the news, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the whole country should come together to remember the incredible sacrifices made by the wartime generation and to celebrate the peace and freedom they secured for us all.
“Keeping our pubs open for longer will give people the opportunity to join in celebrations and raise a glass to all of the men and women who served their country, both overseas and at home.”
Pub hours have also been relaxed for recent national events, such as when the England Men’s football team reached the final of Euro 2024 and for the coronation of King Charles III.
If you cast your mind back to late last year, you’ll remember that there were, in fact, rumours of an extra bank holiday around this time… rumours that were sadly put to bed shortly after they started. Still, you might be wishing extra hard that there was a bank holiday when you open those eyes on Friday morning after taking advantage of the extra two hours.
VE Day falls on Thursday, May 8, with pubs permitted to stay open for two hours longer than the standardised closing time of 11pm.
