A Whitnash pub has blasted the "absolutely ridiculous" news that it will not be able to show England's round of 16 game, should the Three Lions make it through to that stage of the World Cup.

If Thomas Tuchel's men beat DR Congo in their last 32 clash at 5pm on Wednesday (July 1), their next game would then be at 1am on Monday (July 6) against either Ecuador or Mexico.

The Hod Carrier in Whitnash said it applied to Warwick District Council (WDC) for a temporary event notice (TEN) to stay open for the match, as it is outside its usual licenced hours, but the request could not be approved as it was too short notice.

"We've been informed that if England get through after Wednesday's game, we will not be allowed to open because the council says we should have submitted a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) by last Friday," the pub said on social media.

"How exactly were we supposed to know last Friday whether England would finish in first or second place or for that matter third when games would be. It's impossible to plan for something that hadn't happened yet.

"Once again, this feels like another example of the complete lack of support for pubs and hospitality businesses. We are expected to pay ever-increasing business rates, licence fees and other costs, yet when an opportunity arises for us to bring in much-needed trade and support our local community, we're blocked by bureaucracy.

"Pubs are already facing enough challenges without local councils making things even harder. Supporting England in a major tournament should be something that brings communities together, not something that is prevented by red tape.

"Very disappointing. To be honest, it's becoming a joke.

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"This government and local councils talk about supporting local businesses, but their actions often tell a very different story. We need change and we need it now."

Nub News approached WDC for comment and in a detailed response, the council said it had not "refused" the application and that other venues had successfully applied for TENs for the game.

"Though we appreciate that the group stage did present multiple possible dates for the next fixtures, we have processed 20 successful TENs from licensed premises for the round of 16 match which will be broadcast at 1am on Monday 6 July," a statement said.

"It's important to note that the TEN submitted has not been 'refused'.

"This implies that the council has considered a valid application and exercised its discretion to refuse it.

"The TEN was submitted outside the statutory notice period and as such can't be accepted as a valid notification (minimum five clear (or full) working days between submission of a TEN to the day of the event).

"The legislation does not give the council any discretion to accept a TEN that does not meet the prescribed notice requirements.

"Now that the remaining fixtures are a lot clearer, we would like to remind any business that wishes to extend their opening hours, to submit a Temporary Event Notice as soon as possible so they can be considered."

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