Government Approves Extended Pub Hours and Funding for 80th VE Day Commemorations

The government is planning to allow pubs to remain open until 1 am on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This decision is intended to enable people to celebrate and honor veterans. Venues that typically close at 11 pm will be permitted to extend their hours by two hours for the occasion.

Sir Keir Starmer expressed that this change will provide an opportunity for people across the UK to commemorate the sacrifices made during the Second World War. He emphasized the importance of remembering the wartime generation and celebrating the peace and freedom they secured. Extending pub hours is seen as a way to facilitate wider participation in the celebrations and to allow people to pay tribute to those who served their country.

Downing Street has stated that this measure will provide a boost to the hospitality industry, which has faced challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic and rising costs. VE Day, which marks the formal surrender of Germany and the end of the war in Europe, falls on May 8th. VJ Day, commemorating victory over Japan and the end of the war overall, is on August 15th.

While there was some discussion about the possibility of an extra bank holiday to mark both VE and VJ Days, this idea was dismissed earlier this year. The government has committed over £10 million for events to commemorate these anniversaries. The existing early May Bank Holiday will be utilized for commemorative events.