Bailiff urges pubs to make early requests for opening hours changes

Thursday 10 August 2023

Pubs and bars wanting to make changes to their opening hours for sporting events are being urged to make requests to the Bailiff further in advance, after missing out on the opportunity to host viewers of early morning FIFA Women's World Cup matches.

England’s Lionesses this Monday progressed to the quarter-finals of the tournament, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand.

The time difference meant that their match, against Nigeria, took place at 08:00.

Sean Murphy, Manager of The Lamplighter, said he could only open at 09:00, while a staff member with the Halkett said that their licence allowed them to serve alcohol only after 11:00.

When asked if the request would be accepted, the Bailiff's Office said that it had come too late in this instance, and reminded local pub and bar owners to make requests for licensing extensions in advance.

The next match involving the Lionesses will be taking place on Saturday at 11:30. The semi-finals will be taking place on Tuesday 15 August at 09:00 and Wednesday 16 August at 11:00, while the final will be taking place on Sunday 20 August at 11:00.

Pictured: Manager of the Lamplighter Sean Murphy (Dave Ferguson).

Mr Murphy previously said that extending hours to capitalise on popular sporting events "doesn't only support local businesses – it's about helping to promote women's sport in general".

"There's only been one game of this championship so far where we've been able to properly show it at a normal time, and there were over 25 ladies in here watching it.

"There is a real buzz, and people are talking about ladies' football. It's the first time I've seen this happen for a ladies' sport."

In 2014, then Bailiff Sir Michael Birt approved plans to extend licensing hours to cover live matches during the men's World Cup finals, held in Brazil, from England's opening game.

Pubs and clubs could apply to extend their opening hours and landlords had to give at least 48 hours' notice to the States police and parish Constables on the days they intended to open later.

The same rules were applied during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, held in Japan, and the 2011 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.