James Sunderland MP for the Bracknell constituency is backing the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill and the British Beer and Pub Association.

The Bill will give the Government the power to allow pubs to begin to serve customers earlier at times of national importance. This is designed to stop issues such as last summer’s Women’s World Cup final, where pubs were unable to serve customers before half time of the Lionesses’ big game, becoming commonplace.

Licensing laws have also been altered recently for the King’s Coronation, and other similar events, but current rules require Parliament to be in session to make changes, creating problems across the year depending on Parliament’s timetable.

The Bill is being supported by Britain’s pub sector as a necessary point of flexibility in Britain’s licensing laws.

James said:

“At a time when pubs across the country are facing unprecedented challenges, this Bill will give more flexibility to the pubs in the Bracknell area and I am proud to support it…”

Emma McClarkin OBE, Chief Executive of the BBPA said:

“We were proud to support Emma Lewell-Buck MP with her Private Member’s Bill and the campaign to extend licensing hours.

“This Licensing Hours Extensions Bill is a huge step in the right direction to ensure that licensed premises can trade during large events that happen in other time zones, such as sporting world cups.

“The bill has strong cross-party support and backing from leading figures within the beer and pub industry. We will be supporting this Bill throughout the process to ensure this legislation is enacted.”