Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to give shops and pubs a £1billion boost when 90million pints are served

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The Queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne this year and Britons can enjoy a four-day bank holiday in her honor from June 2nd

Pubs and shops await a £1billion boost from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The country’s 45,000 drunkards are expected to pour 90 million pints during the four-day knee break after being allowed to open until 1am June 2-4.

Millions will also hit shops and pubs and shell out beer, champagne, grills and decorations.

The bonanza will give retail and hospitality a welcome boost after two years of lockdown misery.

Co-op has announced it will sell 30,000 bottles of champagne – triple the normal amount for a bank holiday weekend – and 300,000 popsicles.

Retail analyst Clive Black of investment firm Shore Capital said: “Bad weather will certainly put a damper on the occasion but if it’s glorious then we’re probably talking about £1-2billion in sales.”

The British Beer and Pub Association believes 30 million more pints will be drawn compared to a normal bank holiday, giving the industry a £105million boost.

Extended opening hours and an extra day off could also result in a £29million payback to the post-pandemic economy in terms of duties and VAT.

Brewers create special beers to toast the Queen’s 70-year reign while pubs throw parties.

Landlord Jason Smith, who will host a barbecue at the White Swan in Otley, West Yorks, said: “We’ve taken a hit in the last two years and the Christmas Covid restrictions have been a real hit.

“But this will be an opportunity to recover, so fingers crossed for nice weather.”

Co-op expects it will sell twice the amount of English sparkling wine, while demand for ice cream could be three times higher than normal.

Wine buyer Ben Cahill said: “Prosecco remains our best-selling sparkling wine, but when temperatures rise or when we have a big occasion to celebrate, many opt for something special like champagne.”

This year’s Spring Bank Holiday – which is normally a Monday – has been extended to four days and will result in thousands of streets being closed for street parties.

The celebrations begin Thursday, June 2, when more than 2,800 bonfires are lit across the country.

Events include a Trooping the Color ceremony, an anniversary lunch, a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral and a star-studded concert.

Queen and Diana Ross will headline the Party at the Palace concert on June 4th.

It will be 78-year-old Diana’s first live performance in the UK in 15 years.

Eurovision star Sam Ryder, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Elbow and George Ezra are also there.

A number of stars are expected at 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 to the concert will be given to key employees, military personnel and charities, with another 10,000 of the 22,000 total given by ballot.