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Government confirms extended opening hours for pubs and bars for VE Day

Published: by Felix Faulkner, Solicitor

The Order applies for the evening of 8th May only

Today the Government has made law the Licensing Act 2003 (Victory in Europe Day Licensing Hours) Order 2025 (“The Order”).

The Order, which was initially announced back in April, confirms that pubs and bars that are currently licensed to sell alcohol on the premises until 23:00 will be able to stay open for an extra two hours tonight, Thursday 8th May, allowing them to sell alcohol on the premises until 01:00 in the early hours of Friday, 9th May.

This licensing extension is a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, more commonly known as VE Day.

The Order confirms that the extension applies to premises licences and club premises certificates which are already permitted to sell alcohol on the premises until at least 11pm on Thursday, 8th May.

This applies to England and Wales only.

The extension does not apply to premises licensed for the sale of alcohol off the premises or regulated entertainment and only applies to late night refreshment if the premises licence or club premises certificate already has the permission to sell alcohol on the premises.

The Order applies for the evening of 8th May only.

For further information on this or any other licensing issues, please contact Licensing Solicitor, Felix Faulkner, on f.faulkner@popall.co.uk, or call 07495 497199.

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About the author: Paula Kioko

Paula Kioko joined Poppleston Allen in June 2022 as the marketing assistant for her sandwich year placement.

In January 2024 she became the marketing associate.

She completed her BA in Journalism in 2021 and her MSc in Advertising and Marketing Communications in 2023, both at Nottingham Trent University.

Paula moved to the UK as an international student in 2018 from Nairobi, Kenya in order to enhance her academic and professional development.

Her day to day work currently revolves around the management of the website and social media platforms.

Paula works under the direction of the head of marketing to help reach the firm’s marketing goals and objectives.

In addition, Paula is also working towards her level 4 accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

She also holds the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH).

Paula Kioko

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