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No extra bank holiday for 75th VE Day, but the pub will be open longer

Finally, a government decision we can all get behind

We're not getting an extra bank holiday for the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, but we will get a couple of extra hours in the pub.

The UK government has announced a short consultation to extend opening hours from 11pm to 1am for pubs on 8-9 May. They also moved the early May bank holiday (4 May) from Monday to the Friday (8 May).

Pub opening hours will, of course, be subject to a brief consultation with the cops, licensing powers that be, industry community groups and veterans organisations.

Licensing hours were also extended for the Royal Weddings in 2018 and 2011, the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and the 2014 World Cup.

Other plans, we are told, "will be announced in due course" and "will look to evoke the spirit and significance of this year's D-Day 75 tributes which saw large-scale events with veterans at the heart of commemorations".

These will mark the sacrifices of the British, Commonwealth and Allied Armed Forces as well as those who contributed to the war effort on the home front.

Everyone's, er, fave Home Secretary (not that we've had a great run) Priti Patel, emitted this quote:

"Extending licensing hours will pave the way for commemorative events across the UK, so we can pay tribute to the courage and determination of the millions who fought for our freedom or supported the war effort at home."

German forces surrendered 7 May 1945 following Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's suicide a week earlier. A national holiday was declared for the following day and licensing hours were extended.

The war in Japan and Asia lasted until mid-August that year. ®

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