British Pubs Are Staying Open Later So People Can Booze for the Queen

Syria may be descending into further chaos and we may be in the midst of the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War, but guess what guys, the Queen is turning 90 this year! If you close your eyes, you can almost taste the Union Jack vol au vonts.

Y'know what would make the birthday of a pensioner representing a largely redundant system of governing even better? Allowing British pubs to stay open for an extra two hours so we can all drink Pimm's until we lose our problems in a tangle of Cath Kidston bunting, that's what!

Good job Britain has a man like David Cameron in charge, then. Yesterday the Prime Minister announced that pubs in England and Wales normally open until 11 PM would be free to serve alcohol until 1 AM on Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June, in celebration of the Queen's birthday. The longer hours also coincide with England and Wales' respective European Championship matches on the Saturday evening.

Sharing the news during Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron said: "We will be extending pub opening hours on 10 and 11 June this year, to mark Her Majesty the Queen's 90th birthday. I am sure that that will be welcomed across the House."

It's not the first time pub opening hours have been extended for a national event. The 2011 wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William saw pubs stay open for longer, as did certain England matches during the 2014 World Cup. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, the Queen's b'day weekend will add £20 million to the sector.

Of course, Her Majesty's 90th won't just be celebrated down the pub. As The Daily Telegraph reports, the birthday weekend will also be marked with a street party in the Mall in London and a thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral.

I think I'll take the extra couple of hours nursing half a shandy at the pub, thanks.