Struggling pub landlords given a lifeline by England’s World Cup heroes

England fans watch the Norway match at the Blue Eagle pub in Southend, Essex. Photograph: Graham Whitby Boot/SUFC/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen England fans watch the Norway match at the Blue Eagle pub in Southend, Essex. Photograph: Graham Whitby Boot/SUFC/Shutterstock Struggling pub landlords given a lifeline by England’s World Cup heroes One manager expects takings to treble during England’s semi-final with Argentina on Wednesday; while national sales are up 10% T he beleaguered pub sector is getting a boost from England’s World Cup run, with some landlords reporting roaring sales as anticipation builds for a bumper night on Wednesday for the semi-final clash with Argentina . Lisa Mayall, the manager of the British Oak in Kingswinford near Dudley in the West Midlands, was jubilant after England’s 2-1 win against Norway on Saturday night and brisk takings at the pub’s till. She expects hundreds more customers for the team’s next game at 8pm BST. “I think our sales will treble on Wednesday night especially as we’ve got Argentina – there’s so much rivalry and it could be payback for the Hand of God,” she said referring to Maradona’s infamous handball goal against England in the 1986 World Cup . After the final whistle on Saturday, which followed 30 minutes of extra time, allowing for even more time at the bar, Mayall’s customers were belting out the Beatles tune Hey Jude in tribute to Jude Bellingham, who scored both of England’s goals. “Bellingham being a local lad has an added factor for some,” she said. “The whole room was singing Wonderwall, followed by Hey Jude, followed by It’s Coming Home.” It was not raucous throughout the game, especially after Norway took the lead in the first half. Mayall said: “It became a bit subdued when we went one down, but the moment we equalised, it just went crazy. It was not just a busy night but it was a really nice evening.” Pub goers celebrate England win against Norway Pubs can usually count on a World Cup bounce in sales, but the late kick-off times have made this tournament more challenging. The British Oak has been able to use its outdoor screen for only two matches. “Unfortunately we can’t use it for the later kick-offs because it wouldn’t be fair on our neighbours,” Mayall said. But the semi-final kick-off at 8pm means the screen will be in use on Wednesday. “It doubles our capacity – we’ll easily get 200 people outside on the top of the 200 inside. I’ve already taken several bookings for tables.” Allen Simpson, chief executive of the lobby group UK Hospitality, says the World Cup has already had a huge impact on the pub sector with 5.5m extra pints sold during the group stages alone. Despite the late kick-offs, sales are up 10% and UK Hospitality hopes sales could improve still further next week. Simpson said: “Having 8pm games gives pubs a chance to make the absolute most of it. Anything that drives sales at the moment is incredibly important. Two pubs a day are closing a day at the moment b