London pubs to stay open late for royal wedding
By IANSWednesday, January 12, 2011
LONDON - All pubs in the British capital may be allowed to stay open till late at night for the two nights of celebrations for the royal wedding.
Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry at Westminster Abbey April 29.
Pub landlords may get the option of extending their opening hours till 1 a.m. on the night of the wedding without having to seek permission from local licensing authorities.
The party would also be able to continue till 1 a.m. the next night.
Ministers were expected to announce the plans Wednesday, The Independent reported.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “This is great news, and it is really good to see the Government recognising that this is a brilliant opportunity for us all to get together in the pub, to celebrate a great national event.”
“With state-of-the art TV, great food and hospitality, pubs will be right at the heart of the royal wedding celebrations, and are the perfect place to enjoy the day.”
“Let’s hope we can do the same for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee,” Simmonds said.
