A petition campaigning for an extra Bank Holiday next Monday should England win Euro 2020 is rapidly racking up signatures.
It may seem like a long shot at the very last minute, but after England triumphantly defeated Denmark 2-1 last night to advance to their first major tournament final since 1966, an ecstatic football fan has taken to the UK Government and Parliament website to set up a petition.
Well over 25,000 people and counting have put their names down so far.
The petition – which has been set up by Lee Jones – was actually started ahead of last night’s semi-final tie, but has understandably started picking up more speed this morning.
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“England may be playing a European Championship Final at 8pm on Sunday 11th July,” the petition reads.
“It would be beneficial and sensible to give the country the day off the next day if England win, in the form of an extra Bank Holiday Monday.”
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Credit: UEFA Euro 2020 / England
The government is required to respond to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures.
And whether you can believe it or not, reports have started emerging this morning to say that it’s actually being considered.
According to POLITICO: “Some in Whitehall want a Bank Holiday on Monday.”
This isn’t the first time a call for an extra Bank Holiday has gained traction either, with the idea also being bandied around during England’s journey to the 2018 World Cup semi-final and then-leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, backing the campaign.
Given how last-minute the change would be this year though, it’s fair to say it presents logistical challenges.
No formal statements have been made by the government regarding the growing petition.
England’s semi-final victory means they will now face Italy in the final at Wembley Stadium this Sunday – with a kick off time at 8pm.
It has already been confirmed earlier this week that pubs showing the Euro 2020 final in England are permitted to remain open until the later time of 11:15pm on Sunday, anticipating the match heads to extra time and penalties.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the nation to support the Three Lions “enthusiastically, but in a responsible way”.
28 major cities were ranked based on a number of different factors, including the average cost of a pint, venue ratings, and a ‘footy-mad’ score determined by Google Trends – and Manchester unsurprisingly clinched the top spot.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on the Three Lions this weekend?
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We’ve picked out 20 of the best spots to watch Euro 2020 in Manchester city centre here.
Chester Zoo calls for runners to take on new charity 10k to help ‘save endangered animals’
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is calling for thousands of runners to take on a charity 10k through the zoo’s grounds in a bid to help save one of its many endangered species.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo is looking for 2,500 runners of all abilities to sign up for its brand-new ‘Run for Nature‘ later this year – which begins inside the zoo’s 128-acre grounds, and sees participants race past the elephant, giant otter, and giraffe habitats, all before heading out and around the wider countryside estate.
As well as the 10k route, there’s also a special one-mile ‘zoom’ fun run around the zoo, which is perfect for energetic kids under 12.
All runners will get a medal when they cross the finish line, and there’ll even be some exciting prizes up for grabs for those who raise the most money.
Chester Zoo calls for runners to take on new charity 10k through its grounds and beyond / Credit: Chester Zoo
Taking place on Sunday 24 September, all funds raised from the run will go towards the Chester Zoo’s ongoing and extremely-important efforts to find a vaccine for a deadly virus that threatens endangered elephant populations all across the world – which is known as Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).
Scientists at the zoo are currently in the middle of the world’s first vaccine pilot study to fight the virus, and hope that proceeds raised from the upcoming events can help “create a future where Asian elephants survive and thrive.”
“We’re so excited to be able to offer places for 2,500 fundraisers to run our first ever 10k Run for Nature later this year,” explained Hannah Wright, Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo.
Runners will raise money to help the zoo’s efforts to save endangered Asian elephants / Credit: Chester Zoo
“As a charity, fundraising is at the core of this event, but we also hope that it’s a great fun event that the whole family can get involved in – whether running, supporting or sponsoring.
“All participants will be receive a sustainable medal and top fundraisers will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, which include annual memberships, animal experiences, and meal vouchers for our gastro pub, The Oakfield, as well as a selection of animal adoptions.”
You can get half-price fish and chips for just £3.49 at all Morrisons cafes today
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons is giving hungry customers the chance to tuck into a hearty helping of fish and chips at half the price for just one day only today.
And it’s all to suitably celebrate National Fish and Chip Day.
A popular annual event in the British foodie calendar, National Fish and Chip Day falls on Friday 2 June this year, and to mark the special occasion, Morrisons has slashed the price of its usual chippy offering at hundreds of its in-store cafes nationwide.
The major supermarket has more than 400 cafes inside stores right across the UK, and the half-price food offer is believed to be available at all of them.
You can get half-price fish and chips for just £3.49 at all Morrisons cafes today / Credit: Morrisons
Adults can enjoy Fish, Chips and Peas for just £3.49, while the children‘s Mini Fish, Chips and Peas meal has also been reduced to £2.74.
Not a bad bargain at all, right?
The only catch is though, you’ll need to be signed-up to the supermarket‘s loyalty scheme and scan your Morrisons More card at the cafe checkout if you want to claim the half price offer.
There’s more than 400 in-store cafes at Morrisons stores across the UK / Credit: Ian Stratton (via Morrisons)
Morrisons’ half-price fish and chips offer also comes after it relaunched its popular ‘Ask for Henry’ initiative towards the end of April after a successful run when it was first introduced amid the rising cost of living crisis in 2022.
‘Ask for Henry’ saw the retailer team up with Heinz for scheme that’s aimed at helping those struggling with their finances get themselves a free hot meal.
Emily Sergeant -
8th July 2021 
