Spending in Norfolk pubs tripled on day of Euro 2024 final

Transactions in pubs, bars and clubs were three times higher on the day of the final, Sunday July 14, compared to the year before.

This was up 195.6pc according to figures published by Barclays, which is responsible for almost half of UK credit and debit card transactions. 

The Railway Tavern in Dereham continued its tradition of building a grandstand for fans to watch England matches and this tournament's stand was its biggest yet, with a capacity of 200. 

The pub sold out for both the final and semi-final and was packed out by almost 500 people.

Paul Sandford, owner, said: "When England play people turn out in numbers. It's a welcome boost which trebled our trade.

"The atmosphere was incredible. We were at maximum capacity for the semi-final and the final.

"Across the tournament we doubled our normal take."

Paul Sandford, owner of the Railway Tavern (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The Railway Tavern in Dereham (Image: Newsquest)

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Tickets for the grandstand raised more than £4,000 for local charities. 

However, Mr Sandford said the turnout for the opening England matches during the group stages were not as high as previous years - around 350 compared to almost 500 in the knockout stages. 

"As the tournament went on it gained momentum," he said. 

"The first two or three games we didn't have the crowds we would have expected normally as people were obviously watching their pennies. We definitely noticed a difference to previous tournaments. 

"The Euros were a massive help but we're now back to where we were before. Pubs are not what they used to be.

"The pub game has completely changed. It used to be an institution where people would come after work but that's all changed.

"There's a massive difference in footfall. The end of the Euros is like turning the tap off. You go from 500 people to 50 people."