Home Office Denies U.K. Pubs Right To Stay Open Late During England's World Cup Opener

The Home Office said that U.K. pubs "will not be allowed to open late" during England's opening World Cup match this summer, according to Haroon Siddique of the London GUARDIAN. It "has rejected" a request from the British Beer & Pub Association "for serving times to be extended during the opening and closing weekends" of the World Cup. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said the World Cup was not a "one-off." England plays Italy at 11pm local time on Saturday June 14. BBPA has urged Baker to "reconsider his decision as its initial request was made before the World Cup draw was made." BBPA CEO Brigid Simmonds said, "The Home Office wrote back to us and said, 'We don't consider this of national importance.' They've really missed something here and they should reconsider" (GUARDIAN, 2/2).