The Government will move forward with the proposal to issue a Licensing Hours Order under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, following growing and overwhelming support from the public to celebrate the 80^th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. To confirm, this Order will extend licensing hours in England and Wales for the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day.

The Order will apply to premises already licensed for the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshments for consumption on the premises until 11pm. The Order will extend the licensing hours for these premises from 11pm on 8 May to 1am on 9 May. The territorial extent of the Order will be England and Wales.

The Government views VE Day as an event of exceptional national significance, and an extension to licensing hours will enable communities to come together at their local licensed premises to celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II, in which millions paid the ultimate sacrifice to achieve. This will also provide support to the hospitality sector by enabling businesses to extend their trading hours should they wish to do so.

The Order will be laid in Parliament in due course and an Economic Note will be published alongside it on legislation.gov.uk.