If you are wondering what to do after your street party winds down next weekend then you could always pop along to the local and enjoy the extra two hours drinking time graciously afforded to us by Statutory Instrument 2011 No. 1073 :

The Licensing Act 2003 (Royal Wedding Licensing Hours) Order 2011

The Secretary of State considers that the celebration period in relation to which this Order is made marks an occasion of exceptional national significance.

In this Order—(a)“the celebration period” means the period beginning on 29th April and ending on 1st May 2011; and

(b)“specified times” means the periods of 2 hours beginning at 11pm on each of 29th April 2011 and 30th April 2011.

Licensing hours
3.  Subject to articles 4 and 5, premises licences and club premises certificates have effect (to the extent that it is not already the case) during the celebration period as if the specified times were included in the opening hours.

Whilst I do not share the view of the event being of “exceptional national significance” this does at least allow any pub wishing to open longer to be able to do so without having to wade through the local licensing process which makes USSR beaucracy look tame in comparison.

An extra two hours on a Friday and Saturday night could take care of several weeks recommended drinking allowances so I wonder if Shenker or the Department of Health will spoil the mood with warnings about binge drinking?

They seem determined that we will enjoy ourselves by decree. I am just looking forward to the excrutiating look of torment on Mrs Cameroids face when she is forced to sit eating jelly in Downing Street with Osborn and chums. From the iron gates at the end in will almost look like a chimps teaparty.