Match clash sparks club day pub move

Licensees in Kirkham and 
Wesham have agreed not to allow any more drinkers inside their premises after 10pm on Saturday, but will carry on serving those already inside until 1am.

The move has been introduced because many people will have already been drinking during the day to celebrate Kirkham and Wesham Club Day.

England’s game against Italy starts at 11pm and pubs nationally are being allowed to extend last orders until 1am to allow fans to watch it.

Martin Molloy, chairman of Kirkham and Wesham Pubwatch, said; “While this is a welcome opportunity to boost trade and provide quality entertainment to their customers, licensees in Kirkham and Wesham will already have their hands full as this day is also their annual club day, which is traditionally one of their busiest days of the year.

“Following close consultation with local authorities and the police, the Kirkham and Wesham Pubwatch Group has agreed all member premises will close their doors at 10pm.

“This would enable licensees to carefully and safely monitor the amount of 
customers within their 
establishments and reduce the number of people on the streets making it easier to police. Another advantage is any person being ejected from one of the pubs would not be able to get in anywhere else, reducing the potential of disorder.”

Notices are being put up at all nine pubs in the Pubwatch scheme to inform drinkers of the move.