Colchester pubs preparing for England Vs Germany at Euro 2020

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will face their arch-rivals at Wembley tomorrow hoping to avenge the country’s infamous penalties defeat at Euro 1996 - when Southgate himself missed in the penalty shootout.

A total of 45,000 of supporters will be inside the stadium to watch the game, the largest Wembley crowd so far at the tournament, but millions more will be cheering on Southgate’s men from home or their local pub.

Whether England win or lose the game, the fixture is likely to be a welcome boost to the area’s bars and pubs, who’ve faced multiple closures due to coronavirus restrictions over the past 18 months.

The Artilleryman, in Artillery Street in New Town, Colchester, is fully booked for Tuesday’s game, which is the first meeting between England and Germany at the competition since 2000.

Pub manager Jimbo Green said: “We have seven TVs already and I’m about to install another one.

“The tables have been booked up since England’s last game.

“It is mainly locals coming along as we’re outside of the town centre but we’re showing it.

“It is nice to have people in the pub again.

“We’re a family run local and the community have supported us amazingly since we moved in last March.

“We have the flags up outside and we’re ready to welcome people in for the game.”

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Amy Hawkes, front of house at the Marquis, in North Hill, Colchester, said the pub had more than 55 tables, which were all booked.

There are three TVs set up in the garden for customers as well as five more inside the pub.

She said: “We were fully booked as of half time during England’s last game on Tuesday.

“All of the staff we have are working on Tuesday. We’re expecting it to be very busy.

“We have been very busy during the tournament and people have been ringing constantly to try and book a table.

“We have a waiting list so if people have to cancel for whatever reason we can rebook the table.”

If Gareth Southgate’s men beat the Germans on Tuesday they will play the winner of Sweden Vs Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, July 3. The final of the tournament takes place on July 11 at Wembley.