Three Lions came home for pubs, says landlady

Football might not be coming home (again), but the Three Lions will at least return home as heroes in the eyes of one Essex pub.

About 300 people watched England's 2-1 semi-final defeat at the hands of Argentina at the Riverside Inn in Chelmsford.

Landlady Ruby Andrews said her team spent about a year preparing the pub for the World Cup games, by installing extra screens and employing more staff and security.

The tournament had provided their business the "best summer ever", she said.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association, two pubs closed per day in the first quarter of 2026.

The World Cup had given the "struggling" industry "a bit of a push", Andrews explained.

"They save the economy and I'm sure a lot of pubs have used the World Cup to save their restaurants, pubs, bars," she said.

"For us, this has been our best summer ever and that is to do with the World Cup and everyone who comes out and celebrates and enjoys with their friends. It makes a world of difference.

"I won't lie. Seeing everyone up, cheering, pints in the air, it is fantastic. There is no atmosphere like it."

Since April, pubs and music venues in England have had a 15% discount on business rates, and the government says there will not be increases for two years.

This is estimated to be worth £1,650 to the average pub in 2026-27.

Meanwhile, the Anchor in South Benfleet ensured its doors opened for the game, despite a car crashing into the side of the building on Tuesday evening.

The pub was booked to capacity and refused to let its patrons down.

Landlady Haley Sewell said: "It's a pub, it's what we do, we just carry on."

"We wanted to remain open for the Benfleet community, who have given us so much."

She said business "more than doubled" compared with last year.

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