Pubs and shops are in line for a £1billion boost from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The country’s 45,000 boozers are expected to serve 90 million pints during the four-day knees-up after getting the go-ahead to open until 1am from June 2 to 4.
Millions will also head to shops and pubs and shell out for beer, champagne, barbecue food and decorations.
The bonanza will give the retail and hospitality sectors a welcome boost after two years of lockdown misery.
Co-op has said it is expecting to sell 30,000 bottles of champagne – three times its normal amount for a bank holiday weekend – and 300,000 ice lollies.
Retail analyst Clive Black, of investment firm Shore Capital, said: “Poor weather is bound to put a dampener on the occasion but if it’s glorious, we are probably talking about £1billion to £2billion in sales.”
The British Beer and Pub Association reckons an extra 30 million pints will be pulled compared to a normal bank holiday in a £105million boost for the industry.
Extended opening hours and an extra day off could also see a £29million payback into the post-pandemic economy in duty and VAT.
Brewers are creating special beers to toast the Queen’s 70-year reign while pubs are throwing parties.
Landlord Jason Smith, who will be hosting a barbecue at the White Swan in Otley, West Yorks, said: “We took a knock over the past two years, and Christmas Covid restrictions were a real blow.
“But this will be an opportunity to bounce back so we’re keeping fingers crossed for nice weather.”
Co-op reckons it will sell double the amount of English sparkling wine while demand for ice cream could be three times greater than normal.
Wine buyer Ben Cahill said: “Prosecco remains our best selling fizz but when the temperatures rise or when we have a big occasion to celebrate, we see many opting for something more special like champagne.”
This year’s spring bank holiday – which is usually a Monday – has been extended to four days and will see thousands of roads closed for street parties.
The celebrations will start on Thursday, June 2, when more than 2,800 beacons will be lit across the country.
Events are set to include a Trooping the Colour ceremony, a Jubilee luncheon, a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and a star-studded concert.
Queen and Diana Ross will headline the Party at the Palace concert on June 4.
It will be 78-year-old Diana’s first live UK performance in 15 years.
Eurovision star Sam Ryder, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Elbow and George Ezra are also in the line-up.
A number of stars are expected to attend the event, including David Attenborough, tennis ace Emma Raducanu, football
legend David Beckham, comedian Stephen Fry, actress Dame Julie Andrews and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds.
More than 7,500 tickets for the concert will be given to key workers, members of the Armed Forces and charities, with a further 10,000 of the 22,000 total allocated by ballot.
