Welsh pubs not staying open late automatically during World Cup

Bars and pubs across England will be allowed to open until 1am each night during the football tournament in Brazil which runs from June 12 – July 13.

But those across the border will not have the same freedom, the British government has said.

Instead they will each have to apply for a temporary extension with licensees or breweries covering the costs themselves.

The landlady of the Raven Inn in Welshpool today said the decision was a blow.

Elaine Wright said: "We have many English tourists who visit in the summer. They and many of our locals, will want to watch the England games.

"Lots of pubs in Wales will want to stay open too show the matches."

Ministers decided to allow English pubs to stay open until 1am because the World Cup is an "event of exceptional national significance in England" meaning that there will be no need for each one to apply for an extension to their language.

The decision comes despite 77 per cent of people responding to Home Office consultations saying the national relaxation of licensing hours should apply to Wales and England.

Brains, the Welsh brewer and pub estate manager, which sponsors the Welsh Rugby Union and the Football Association of Wales, has said it is "disappointing" that Wales will not be included in the relaxing of rules.

But Andrew Misell, of Alcohol Concern Cymru, said it was a bad idea to relax the rules in England as it could lead to late night disturbances.