Team England ‘saved’ the night-time sector, says industry boss after Euro defeat

England’s football team “inadvertently saved our industry”, a night-time industry leader said after the team’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final.

Spain won 2-1 as the Three Lions fell at the last hurdle for a second successive European Championship final.

Fans descended on pubs, bars and other venues across the country on Sunday following Gareth Southgate’s rallying cry earlier in the day.

Social media users have spoken of pubs and bars in the cities being crowded since Sunday morning and places being allowed to stay open until 1am.

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the extra support given to the sector during the tournament generated almost £1bn of extra income for local pubs and venues.

He added that the industry had faced “immense challenges” in recent years, but the support of England fans had allowed venues to “momentarily put aside our daily struggles”.

He said: “I can testify that tonight I witnessed a group of footballers who gave everything on the pitch in pursuit of a national legacy.

“In doing so, they have inadvertently saved our sector, selling millions of pints across the tournament and generating almost a billion in extra revenue for our local pubs and venues, which have faced huge challenges over the past four years.

“This tour has taken us on an unforgettable journey, allowing us to momentarily put aside our daily struggles.

“Tonight’s final reignited a sense of national pride and reminded us of our values ​​and passion.

“We hope this will be a pivotal moment that will change the mood of the nation and reignite our spirit and desire to engage, socialize and celebrate our culture.”

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said earlier that she expected “an incredible 10 million extra pints to be poured in our pubs on Sunday to toast England’s Euro final”.

“A whopping £48m in additional takeover for pubs and breweries will be generated by fans across the country,” she added.

NTIA is an advocacy group promoting the UK’s night time economy, representing businesses including bars, clubs and cultural venues.