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UK Extends Pub Hours for VE Day 80th Anniversary Festivities

Pubs across the country will remain open until 1 a.m. on May 8 as part of a four-day commemoration of the end of WWII in Europe.

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Opening hours for pubs that close at 11pm has been extended by two hours for May 8 and 9

Overview

  • The UK government has approved a two-hour extension of pub licensing hours on May 8, allowing venues to stay open until 1 a.m. to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
  • The commemorations will span May 5–8, featuring military processions, an RAF flypast, a poppy installation at the Tower of London, and a tea party for WWII veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum.
  • The festivities will conclude on May 8 with a service at Westminster Abbey and a televised concert at Horse Guards Parade, attended by 10,000 people.
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of honoring the wartime generation while fostering community celebrations across the country.
  • Hospitality leaders have welcomed the extended hours, citing the boost to pubs and bars as well as the opportunity to celebrate shared history and community spirit.