Pubs to stay open until 1am for punters to celebrate Queens Platinum Jubilee
Plans for a "blockbuster" series of celebrations have been kicked off with the announcement that pubs will stay open until 1am for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year.
Drinkers will be allowed to toast to Her Majesty's 70-year reign for longer as licensing hours will be permitted over three days, reveals plans by Home Secretary Priti Patel.
From Thursday June 2 to Saturday June 4 pubs, clubs and bars would be able to stay open two hours longer.
The Home Office will shortly launch a public consultation on extending the licensing hours from the usual 11pm to 1am on those days to allow extra time for celebrations.
The plans are similar to relaxations for the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016, as well as her Diamond jubilee in 2012 and the Royal Wedding in 2018, which allowed pubs to open later than usual.
With such a historic event taking place next year, Government officials are promising an exciting programme of events for the country, including a specially extended four-day Bank Holiday weekends from Thursday June 2, to Sunday, June 5.
And on Friday, Priti Patel said the proposed licensing extension "will enable families, friends and communities across England and Wales to raise a glass to toast Her Majesty the Queen and mark her incredible service to our country".
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"Her Majesty is an example to us all. She has served the UK and the Commonwealth with the utmost dignity, steadfastness and resolve throughout her remarkable reign.
"The Platinum Jubilee is a truly historic occasion, and it is right that the country should mark this celebration in a special way."
Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, said the Jubilee would be "an unprecedented milestone in our national life".
She added: "No other British monarch has served for 70 years and it is fitting that, as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, we toast Her Majesty for her dedication and service.
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"2022 will be a year of pride, celebration and coming together with the Platinum Jubilee alongside our other blockbuster events including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Unboxed, championing creativity in the UK."
The licensing-hours extension would be subject to a month's public consultation, giving people the opportunity to submit their views on the proposals as well as getting those of the police, licensing authorities and alcohol awareness groups and other stakeholders.
The consultation will ask for an extension of licensing hours for venues that are already permitted for the sale and consumption of alcohol on their premises.
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