A decision by a High Court judge to allow a pub to open and serve alcohol for World Cup matches has been welcomed by the Punch Pub Company.
The ruling, which dismissed case law dating back to 1978, allows pubs to apply for an early licence on the grounds that the World Cup should be classified as a special occasion for licensing purposes.
Punch Pub Company commercial director Francis Patton said he was delighted at the news, which would benefit the company's 4,200 licensees.
"We have been campaigning for pubs to be allowed to open for the World Cup for some time - the pub is the natural home for a football event as big as this."
"A survey of our licensees revealed that more than 84 per cent of licensees are going to celebrate the World Cup, in comparison to just 63 per cent who are holding Golden Jubilee celebrations.
"This case will give our licensees a choice of whether to open - and I am confident that many of them will take up the opportunity," he added.
Matches are being screened as early as 6.30am throughout the World Cup. But, until the ruling, many magistrates had quoted the case law as a justification against permitting extended opening.
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