News from the hospitality industry

Late licensing for the Jubilee gets one step closer

Plans to allow restaurants, pubs and bars to serve alcohol later over the Jubilee weekend have moved one step closer, as the House of Lords has approved the proposal.

If it goes ahead it will see licenses given an automatic extension to 1am on the nights of June 2nd and 3rd, but must go through the House of Commons first.

Lord Henley, a Home Office minister, said: "It was estimated that this small extension of licensing hours will save businesses in England and Wales between £280,000 and £480,000."

The plans have been welcomed in order to allow the British public to make the most of the long weekend and enjoy the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Baroness Hamwee has on the other hand accused the government of being a spoil sport by not including the Monday night in the equation for extended opening hours.

She said it was telling people they must be in good shape for returning to work.

The celebrations to mark 60 years of the Queen's reign will include a pageant on the river Thames and a concert at Buckingham Palace.

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