Nation Unites in Toast to Heroes as Pub Hours Extended for VE Day

Pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 1am on May 8, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a special order to extend licensing hours in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This temporary measure means venues that usually close by 11pm can keep serving for an extra two hours, giving people more time to gather and commemorate a pivotal moment in British history.
Sir Keir Starmer explained, “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the whole country should come together to remember the incredible sacrifices made by the wartime generation and to celebrate the peace and freedom they secured for us all. Keeping our pubs open for longer will give people the opportunity to join in celebrations and raise a glass to all of the men and women who served their country, both overseas and at home.”
Victory in Europe Day, observed annually on May 8, marks Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender to Allied forces in 1945, and this year’s milestone is being recognised with a series of nationwide events. Pub licensing hours have been relaxed for past occasions of national significance, such as royal celebrations and major sporting events like the Euro 2024 final, reflecting the role of pubs as central gathering places during key historical moments.
The hospitality sector has welcomed the move, with Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, stating, “As the nation’s second home, the pub is the perfect place for communities to gather and raise a glass to all of those who made huge sacrifices for our freedom. Extending licensing hours will mean people can come together for longer, nurture community spirit, and allow pubs to host even more commemorative events that honour our veterans and heroes and celebrate peace.”
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, added, “VE Day is not only a moment of remembrance but also an opportunity for communities to come together. At such a challenging time for the hospitality sector, allowing businesses to extend their trading hours during these celebrations offers a much-needed boost while paying tribute to our shared history.”
The commemorations will unfold over four days, beginning on May 5 with a military procession and flypast in central London, featuring hundreds of personnel marching along Whitehall and afternoon tea aboard HMS Belfast. Across the UK, open-air music festivals, fairgrounds, picnics, and performances will take place, with the iconic ceramic poppies returning to the Tower of London until Armistice Day on November 11.
Historic landmarks will be illuminated starting May 6, and the Palace of Westminster will host an anniversary concert on May 7. On the official day, May 8, Westminster Abbey will hold a service, Northern Ireland will feature a parade of 80 pipers and drummers in Enniskillen, and the London festivities will conclude with a concert at Horse Guards Parade, set to finish around 10pm.
This extension of pub hours is expected to provide a welcome lift to the hospitality industry, which continues to face economic challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing cost pressures, including recent rises in National Insurance Contributions. The government’s decision underscores the importance of community gathering spaces in national remembrance and celebration, reinforcing the pub’s enduring role in British culture.