Pubs will open until 1am on Thursday night for VE Day - but no Bank Holiday Friday to recover

Pubs will be given special permission to stay open later as part of VE Day celebrations next month, Keir Starmer has announced.

Downing Street said on Friday pubgoers will be able to raise a toast to veterans until 1am as licensing hours are extended on May 8. The day marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with the nation expected to come together to honour the heroes of the Second World War.

The government is gearing up for four days of special events for the "momentous occasion" - taking place from the early May Bank Holiday until Thursday 8 May. Concerts and street parties are being planned across the country while the King will be joined with senior Royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony for a Red Arrows fly-past. The Cenotaph war memorial in central London will also be draped in Union flags and an installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London.

No10 said the PM will extend pub licensing hours for a further two hours to mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. It means pubs with a usual closing time of 11pm will be able to keep their doors open for a further two hours on May 8. Downing Street has previously ruled out an extra Bank Holiday to mark the occasion.

Keir Starmer said: “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."

The PM added: "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.”

A similar extension to pub hours was granted last summer to mark the Euro 2024 final in Berlin between England and Spain. Pub licensing hours were also relaxed for the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.

The CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin said: "This is a momentous occasion and, 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."

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, added: "The 80th anniversary of VE day will see communities across the country come together to mark the special occasion, with many gathering in their local pubs to do so. I'm pleased the government is extending licensing hours for the celebrations, which will see thousands raising a glass in tribute to those who served in the war."