When the Lionesses were roared to victory by jubilant fans across the country
Roars of joy erupted across England as fans celebrated reaching the World Cup final.
Pubs in Leeds, Birmingham, Plymouth, London and Manchester were full despite the 11am kick-off. The World Cup is also expected to net a £185million boost to the economy as fans flock to pubs for the final against Spain on Sunday. Many parents took kids to watch yesterday’s semi-final at fan zones while millions tuned in at home.
In Folkestone, Kent, some tourists sat in deckchairs to enjoy the game. Venues set to show the final said they had no tickets left shortly after the dramatic 3-1 win over Australia. The three Boxpark arenas in London – Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley – sold out in eight minutes.
Cousins Michele Mitchard, 57, and Porsche Smith, 34, and their families, of Denham, Bucks, joined hundreds at Wembley Boxpark to see the game. Porsche said: “It’s been an amazing day – all the children will remember this for the rest of their lives.”
Fans at Boxpark, North West London (TIM ANDERSON)Rebecca Highland, 23, of Harrow, North West London, who was with sister Victoria, 27, said: “Football’s coming home and we’re coming back here on Sunday for the final.” Australians watched alongside English pals, with one Aussie holding his head in his hands at the end.
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At Goldwood Sportsbar in the City of London people in suits sat with laptops drinking champagne on ice. A group of female lawyers, half of them English and half Australian, said their boss let them watch the game as he loved the friendly rivalry. The Welsh Guards Band played footie anthem Sweet Caroline during yesterday’s Changing of the Guard at the Palace to mark the victory
Toasting team at Box Leeds, West Yorks (Lee McLean/SWNS)It was grin up North as Mischa McDonald, 12, celebrated the win at England captain Millie Bright’s former club Killamarsh Dynamos, near Sheffield, South Yorks. She said: “It was amazing, so nerve-racking, but I’d predicted 3-1.”
Parents watched the game with their kids at Sunderland’s STACK bar. Anthony Mclachlan, 31, with his daughters, Mia, nine, and Esme, six, said: ‘‘Mia wants to be a Lioness.” The match was also watched by tourist around the world. Claire McGettrick, 42, from Birmingham, heard cheering in rooms at her hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Fans celebrate at Feel Good Club cafe in Manchester (Manchester Evening News)VoucherCodes.co.uk said 13.7 million UK viewers are set to tune in to the World Cup final. It added fans could spend £138m in shops to stock up on food, drink and merchandise. Hospitality venues may net £47m, about a third more than during the Lionesses ’ Euros win last year. The overall spend for the World Cup may hit £747m.
UKHospitality’s Kate Nicholls said: “We’ve seen venues make a huge effort for the World Cup and we expect that to go even further this Sunday, which will inevitably lead to a boost for hospitality businesses.”
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