Pub-goers will be able to raise a toast to veterans for an extra two hours as part of next month’s historic 80th anniversary of VE Day.
With celebrations planned across the country on Thursday 8th May, the government has announced that pubs and bars will be permitted to remain open until 1am – two hours later than usual – to mark the occasion.
This temporary extension will allow venues that typically close at 11pm to keep their doors open for longer, giving communities more time to come together and honour this significant milestone in British history.
Licensing hours can be relaxed for events of ‘exceptional national significance’, and this move follows similar decisions made for major royal occasions and large-scale sporting events such as the Euro 2024 final.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the announcement, highlighting its potential to both honour the legacy of the wartime generation and support the struggling hospitality sector.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said:
“As someone with a strong family background in the armed forces, I know how vital it is to honour the legacy of those who served.
“VE Day is not only a moment of remembrance, but also an opportunity for communities to come together. At such a challenging time for the hospitality sector, allowing businesses to extend their trading hours during these celebrations offers a much-needed boost while paying tribute to our shared history.”
The VE Day commemorations will begin on the Bank Holiday Monday, with the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, and an RAF flypast over London.
On Thursday 8th May, a nationwide day of celebrations will culminate in a party at London’s Horse Guards Parade, broadcast live on BBC One, with more than 10,000 members of the public expected to attend and enjoy performances from stars of stage and screen.
