Pubs in Oxfordshire are allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico.
Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open late for the round of 16 match, which kicks off at 1am on Monday.
The blanket extension means individual pubs do not need to apply for extended hours.
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Wig & Pen in George Street and Jude the Obscure in Walton Street are two Greene King pubs that will both stay open until 5am for Oxford.
In Abingdon, the Boundary House in Oxford Road and Roaring Raindrop in Midget Close will remain open overnight.
The Boat House in High Street, Wallingford, the Rowing Machine in Fettiplace Road, Witney, the White Horse in Churchill Road, Bicester and Cromwell Lodge Hotel in North Bar Street are also included on the list.
However, some pub owners have said issues with arranging staffing and being located in residential areas will mean they will remain closed.
A spokesperson for Wetherspoons said “only five of the 800 Wetherspoon pubs will be open” for the match.
The William Morris, the Swan and Castle and the Four Candles will therefore remain shut in the city,
Tommy Higgs, co-owner of The Three Horseshoes pub in Witney, said they would not be opening for the England match.
Speaking to LBC, Mr Higgs said: “We’re in a built-up community around here, and I think it’s just a little bit disrespectful for our locals to have that sort of noise at 5am.”
The publican added: “No one’s going to want to work until five in the morning.
“We’re not a nightclub, we’re a local pub in a small town, and I am not allowed to annoy my neighbours because I’ll be into holy hell with that.
“A lot of our staff have second jobs. We employ a couple of full-timers, but mainly part-time, and I would never expect that of them.”
Discussing the Government’s decision to loosen restrictions, Mr Higgs said: “For some, I think it’s a huge benefit, especially in your bigger built-up cities, where there are places that open later, but for here and where we are, it’s just not something that we will do.
“There’s other things they can be doing to help the pub trade out – staying open until five o’clock in the morning on a Monday – for some is a benefit, but for others it’s just completely pointless, really.”
Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: “We’re delighted to have been granted permission to stay open late as England progress through the tournament.
“There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere in our pubs and it gives fans the chance to come together, soak up the occasion and hopefully celebrate."
