UK boozers face World Cup ‘pubaggedon’ as excited Brits neck 4.5m further pints tonight
Industry experts are predicting that Saturday could help bring in some serious dough for England’s many boozers with British Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin saying pubs are set to sell an extra 4.5 million pints
The country’s pubs will be packed tonight (stock)(Image: James Manning/PA Wire)
England’s pubs and bars are battening down the hatches and preparing for all out pub-aggedon today as Three Lions fans set out for a spell of raucous boozing before this evening’s crunch World Cup match against Panama.
Pub owners and managers are readying for record numbers of punters looking to get on the drink ahead of the game’s 10pm kick off, with some fans telling the Daily Star that they are planning on being in the boozer for as many as 12 hours. The final game of England’s World Cup group stage not only coincides with a forecast of sunshine and baking heat on Saturday afternoon, but also with payday, which for most people takes place today.
Speaking to the Daily Star, one pub manager admitted that his boozer was preparing for “chaos and carnage”. Martin Shiels, who runs the popular Scolt Head Pub in North London, said: “We’re expecting a mammoth day, especially if the weather stays as it is.
“The first game was chaos and now we think this one will be carnage too, especially being a weekend game where most have the no work the next day”.
Martin explained that his pub had been specifically preparing for this day for weeks, explaining: “We’ve ordered in as much beer as we can so we don’t run dry. We’ve also our had to close our restaurant to make room for another screen.” England fan Ambrose Norman, 21, told the Star he would be in the boozer from “5am minimum” if he could, adding that he hoped to be “drinking all day.”
Some Three Lions fans are even planning specialised boozing trips abroad for the day of the match. Olly White, 22, explained that he was heading to Spain for the occasion. He said: “I’m flying to Benidorm for the match. I’m going to be going flat out and I’m starting as soon as I can.”
Industry experts are predicting that Saturday could help bring in some serious dough for England’s many boozers, with British Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin suggesting that pubs are set to sell an extra 4.5 million pints, bringing in a revenue boost of £22.5m, according to The Caterer.
She said: “Even with the slightly later kick-off time, we’re predicting that pubs across the UK will sell an extra 4.5 million pints, with fans thirsty for a quality match.
“We’re calling on the government to keep supporting our brilliant pubs, which are the home of live sport, by cutting beer duty to keep pints affordable for all.”
