The Home Secretary has announced that licensing hours across England & Wales are to be extended to mark the 75th anniversary of VE day subject to a consultation exercise.
The proposals would mean that licensed premises which are able to trade until 11pm (on 8 May and 9 May 2020 respectively) will be able to trade until 1am the following morning.
This coincides with the government’s decision to move the early May Bank Holiday from 4 May 2010 to Friday 8 May 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of VE day.
VE day marks a remembrance of the contributions of British, Commonwealth and Allied Armed Forces personnel, as well as all those citizens who contributed to the war effort and safeguarded the home front.
In the past, the government has extended licensing hours for such occasions such as the Royal Wedding (2018); the Queen’s 90th birthday (2016), the World Cup (2014); the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (2012) and the Royal Wedding (2011).