11/02/2011 - Royal wedding extends opening hours
Plans to allow pubs to open later over the weekend following the royal weekend are to be extended to all licensed venues, the Home Office has said.
It comes after the Government announced that pubs could serve people until 1am over the weekend following the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29.
The extension means all licensed venues, such as restaurants and village halls, will also be able to serve food and drink until 1am on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1.
It will give Britons already enjoying an extra bank holiday on the royal wedding day a larger choice of venues to celebrate the nuptials.
Home Office minister James Brokenshire said: "The royal wedding is a time of national celebration which is why we want to allow as many people to take part in the festivities as possible.
"We know that the majority of on-trade licensed premises tend to close before midnight and we recognise that many will want to extend their open hours to serve alcohol, food and put on entertainment if they choose to mark this special occasion."
The royal couple will have the eyes of the world on them when they tie the knot at Westminster Abbey.
With Easter falling the weekend before, and May Day holiday on the following Monday, the extra bank holiday means many people will enjoy two four-day weekends in a row.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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