As if London mayor Sadiq Khan and his night tzar Amy Lamé weren’t already taking it upon themselves to be the capital’s fun police, now councils have decided to lecture football fans about peace and quiet during the Euros. As the England team approaches the final, Mr S can reveal that two London councils have been accused of being ‘spoilsports’ by the TaxPayers’ Alliance. Letters sent by the council to pubs see local politicians issuing ‘reminders of responsibilities’ during the football tournament, with notices warning venues to ‘avoid irresponsible marketing or any drinks promotions’. Good heavens…
Islington Council and Waltham Forest Council are the guilty culprits – with the former advising local drinking spots:
Use plastic/polycarbonate glasses rather than glass and do not sell alcohol in bottles. Empty bottled lagers and other drinks into plastic containers at the bar and keep the glass bottle. This will reduce the availability of potential weapons if a problem should occur. Do not allow your premises to become overcrowded – overcrowding will increase the tension as emotions rise. Take measures to ensure that the permitted capacity of your premises is not exceeded for example by using door supervisors or ticketed events to control numbers… Islington Police and Council officers will undertake visits prior to and during the tournament.
Meanwhile, after the government advised pubs that licensed venues would be allowed to stay open for longer if England qualifies for the top stages of the tournament, Waltham Forest Council told local businesses: ‘If you plan to show Euro 2024 events we ask that you notify us in advance.’ Talk about planned entertainment…
‘While football fans chant it’s coming home, council busybodies are wagging their fingers and calling for quiet,’ fumed the TPA’s Benjamin Elks, adding: ‘These spoilsport town halls should get a grip and embrace the enthusiasm that the rest of the nation has about England’s impressive run.’ Quite…