Harrogate pubs overbooked as England prepares for first Euros semi in 25 years

Pubs have been packed for every Three Lions game

Author: Natalie HigginsPublished 7th Jul 2021

It's hoped England's Euro successes will continue tonight as pubs across Harrogate district have seen numbers sore when the side play.

The Three Lions are taking on Demark in the tournament's second semi final tonight - the first time the country's reached this stage of the competition in 25 years.

So pub owners are preparing for a busy night tonight with some having tables fully booked weeks in advance.

Simon Swannie, landlord of the Knox, said: "It's been fully booked for every England game. The atmosphere has been fantastic. Everyone is getting behind England and are wanting us to win so we're overbooked rather than fully booked.

"It's a lot harder to run a pub when you don't see people happy and celebrating. So that's what has added to it for us. They've got the pub and the fact we're doing well so we can look out the window and see everyone cheering. It's a great morale booster for the staff."

Thought it's not confirmed whether it's coming home yet, bookings for Sunday's final at the Knox are already coming through.

Landlady, Katie Swannie, said: "We expect to sell the tables for Sunday tonight and tomorrow night. We've only got a few left. If we actually get through to the final, wow, it'll be unbelievable. It's going to be absolutely bonkers on Sunday. I can't wait.

"I think it's just been what everybody needed to get back to a little bit of normality and to have something to look forward to. It has been really good for everybody not just us."

England take on Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-finals with the match kicking off at 8pm at Wembley stadium.

A win would see the side advance to the final at Wembley on Sunday.

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