Business booming for pubs as England progress to the last 16 of the World Cup

Pubs in Portsmouth are preparing for another bumper day as England get set to face Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning.

Despite the unsociable 1am kick off time, many pubs are remaining open as fans across the city continue to come together to get behind the national time. With Harry Kane’s double seeing off DR Congo in the round of 32, the pubs are set to be packed again as they Thomas Tuchel’s men face tough competition in Mexico.

One pub that has seen a rise in trade since the World Cup began is the Lord John Russell on Albert Road, particularly for England games.

From left, landlady of the Lord John Russell in Albert Road, Southsea, Melanie Port, and bar staff Eden Letchford. | Sarah Standing

placeholder image — From left, landlady of the Lord John Russell in Albert Road, Southsea, Melanie Port, and bar staff Eden Letchford. | Sarah Standing

Landlord Mel Port said: “We have definitely seen an increase in people coming in, definitely. It has been really good, we have had all of the tables booked. Everyone has been watching the games intensely, although there was a fair amount of screaming at the telly against DR Congo when they thought we might lose. It went crazy when the goals went in, it was great.”

Even though many people will have work a few hours after the final whistle blows, Mel is expecting another busy game.

She said: “We have quite a few tables already booked in, I think it is going to be great. A few of our customer have asked if we will be serving coffee as they have work the next day. People are looking forward to watching it but they have their lives to lead and work the next morning.

“We have plenty of massive TVs in the pub so wherever you are standing you will be able to see the game. The more the merrier to help England get through and give them the support they need. I think we will win, we have got to.”

The News has joined expectant three lions supporters throughout every game at the World Cup including visits to The Red Lion in Cosham, The Ship Inn at Langstone, and The Staggeringly Good Brewery. For the round of 32 victory against DR Congo, the owner of The Green Post in Hilsea shared that the tournament has been a huge boost with the London Road pub taking nearly £12,00 for England’s group stage game against Panama.

After England’s victory against DR Congo, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open until 5am for England v Mexico.

Another pub that has seen attendances rising as the three lions progress is the The Milton Arms on Milton Road.

The Milton Arms has a long-standing affiliation with football - being a literal stone's throw away from Fratton Park. | Contributed

Landlord Kevin Brickwood said: “The further England are going into the tournament the busier it is getting. It was packed in the pub on Tuesday and we have the barn which has also been full. We have a big projector screen which is something like 430 inches wide.”

While England’s progress was in doubt for 75 minutes, Kevin applied for the later licence over two weeks ago in the hope that they would get through. A win against Mexico could be another big boost for the pub.

Kevin said: “Touch wood we beat them but they looked a bit naff yesterday but managed to pull it together in the end. It is going to be good I think, as it is one o'clock in the morning a lot of people are saying they have already taken the day off so I am hoping it will be packed and we don’t run out of beer.”

The game will be a non-ticketed event at The Milton Arms with Kevin confident they have the space for the demand.

Austen Denman, trainee supervisor at The Milton Arms. | Sarah Standing

He said: “We have six screens and have DJ on before the game. We also serve free hot dogs to customers which has been a big winner with people queueing out of the door so we will be doing the same on Monday.

“The atmosphere has been very good and everyone is in great spirit. We beat Mexico and who knows then, maybe I’ll have to start taking bookings then!”

Nick Lee, landlord at the Shepherd’s Crook in Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, is also seeing an upturn in business during England’s World Cup run - and has seen a massive influx of bookings ahead of the round of 16.

Nick Lee, landlord of the Shepherd's Crook in Fratton, right, and Lindsay Waters, supervisor. | Sarah Standing

He said: “So far it's been an incredible World Cup, with all the games at capacity, as you'd expect with the Crook being front and centre for football in Portsmouth for many years.

“We're 85 per cent booked up already for Monday, it's going to be another corker here.”