Minister for Police (): The Government has consulted
on, and will be proceeding with, the proposal to make a
contingent Licensing Hours Order under Section 172 of the
Licensing Act 2003. This Order will relax licensing hours in
England and Wales for the 2024 UEFA European Championship,
subject to any of the competing home nation teams (England and
Scotland) reaching the semi-final or final of the tournament.
The Order will apply to premises already licensed until 11pm for
the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises in England
and Wales. The Order will extend the licensing hours for such
premises from 11pm to 1am the following day on the days of the
semi-final (9 and/or 10 July) and final (14 July) of the
tournament should the criteria of the contingent Order be met.
The Government considers the semi-final and final of the
tournament to be an occasion of exceptional national significance
and an extension to licensing hours will enable communities to
come together at their local licensed premises to support any of
the home nation teams if they reach the later stages of the
tournament and celebrate any subsequent success. This will also
provide support to the hospitality sector by enabling businesses
to extend their trading hours if they so wish.
The results of the consultation will be published on GOV.UK. The
Government is grateful to everyone who responded to the
consultation. The Order will be laid in Parliament in due course
and an Economic Note will be published alongside it on
legislation.gov.uk.
