Pubs net trade boost during England's Euros run

Crowds of people visited the Wildcard Bar and Grill in Sheffield to watch England play

Pubs across Yorkshire have netted a boost in trading during England’s journey to the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

In June, the British Beer and Pub Association predicted pub-goers would drink an extra 4-5m pints nationally during the tournament, meaning a further £19m-£24m in sales.

England take on the Netherlands on Wednesday for a spot in the tournament final, with pubs set to be busy once again.

Sophie Saville, assistant manager at the Carlton Tavern, York, described trading as “really great” so far this summer.

Ms Saville, from the venue on Acomb Road, said: “We have a beer garden so do usually get a good amount of trade, but the last few weeks have been particularly busy as people have been coming in to watch all the games, not just England.

“Our pub also has an app for people to order and pay through their phone, which is handy for them not having to move from their seats, but it can get quite busy for us when we have more than 100 extra orders in the queue for the chefs and bar staff."

The pub has introduced ticketed entry for the final match of the tournament, which will take place on Sunday, with more than half of the tickets already sold.

She said: “People have been up on the tables when England have scored and been blowing horns - we’re only serving drinks in plastic glasses as they’ve been throwing them in all the excitement.”

Pubs (and supporters) hope England's successful run in the tournament continues beyond Wednesday night

Ellie and Ricky, who manage the Wildcard Bar and Grill, in Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, have also seen an uptake in customers during the tournament.

“It’s picked up massively since the Euros, mostly when England has been playing rather than for the other teams, so we’ve made sure we’ve ordered extra alcohol so we don’t run out,” Ellie said.

Ricky added the bar had seen “a couple of hundred extra people coming in” to watch the games, meaning “we’ve been able to offer extra shifts for staff”.

Jackie Fairburn, of the Hare and Hounds, in Batley Road, Wakefield, said her pub saw “about 450 [customers] in the garden on Saturday”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she said the game between England and Switzerland on Saturday going into extra time was “helpful” as it meant fans stayed at the venue for longer.

“We have been quite fortunate because we have been full for all of the matches," she said.

"I’ve got 440 coming through my door on a Wednesday night, it’s 400 people more than normal.”

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