Kate Middleton: Britain Pubs to Stay Open for Middleton Wedding
Kate Middleton and Prince William are slated to marry in April, and Britain's Home Office says the country's pubs will be given special dispensation to stay open late for the marriage.
Pubs, clubs and community and village halls will be allowed to stay open an extra 2 hours, until 1 a.m., for two nights of royal celebrations in recognition "that people may want to extend their festivities to mark this important occasion," Home Office Minister James Brokenshire said.
The extension will apply to entertainment, such as live music, as well as selling alcohol, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
The relaxation of licensing hours will allow all licensed premises in England and Wales to stay open until 1 a.m. Friday, April 29, the day of the wedding, and on Saturday, April 30, Brokenshire said.
The British Beer and Pub Association applauded the move.
"This is great news, and it is really good to see the government recognizing that this is a brilliant opportunity for us all to get together in the pub, to celebrate a great national event," it said.
