Raising our glasses to football fever

Hundreds of thousands of pounds of beer was thrown in the air as we watched the team’s matches in Russia and in Preston it was no different.

As well as the boost in sporting spirit, the World Cup campaign brought a spike in beer sales to shops and publicans across the county.

Mick Clark, of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Central Lancashire, said: “The pubs have been busy selling more beer. Everybody has really enjoyed themselves.

“The police have kept a discreet distance, they’ve set the right tone.”

Liam Morrow, of gin bar The Filling Factory and Morrow Brothers Packaging in Buckshaw Village, told the Post that the combination of the hot weather and football had really boosted sales.

He said: “With the nice weather and England learning how to play football in the World Cup it’s like the perfect storm.

“It’s been very busy we have shown just the England matches and they are family orientated.

“No one was jumping on an ambulance or wrecking Ikea furniture like they did in Stratford in London.”

Phill Leyland, of Beer Brothers Brewery and Bar based in Ranglet Road in Walton Summit, told the Post that shops had also been increasing their orders.

He said: “There’s been a slight spike. Shops are mainly stocking up, not just the pubs.”

Meanwhile managing director of Moorhouse’s Brewery Lee Williams said: “Despite the inevitable rise in lager and cider we see every time the thermometer goes above 25 degrees, we’ve certainly enjoyed our fair share of the spoils from brewing special beers like Bolshie, our World Cup Golden beer.”