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    Gareth Bale’s beer brand to hit supermarkets in celebration of Wales’ first World Cup appearance for 64 years

    GARETH BALE’S own brand of beer is set to hit Welsh supermarkets next week as the country celebrates reaching the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.The former Tottenham and Real Madrid superstar, 33, helped Rob Page’s men to Qatar earlier this year.
    Bale’s lager and ale will be sold in supermarkets across WalesCredit: PA
    Bale Ale is a celebration of Wales’ World Cup qualificationCredit: PA
    Tesco will stock the unique beers marketed by BaleCredit: PA
    And they will now face England, Iran and the USA in the group stage of the World Cup – their first appearance at the tournament since 1958.
    As a mark of the historic accomplishment, Welsh supporters will be able to celebrate the games with a glass of Bale Ale or Bale Lager.
    Bottles of both will be available in Wales’ Tesco stores for £1.70 from October 3.
    National team skipper Bale plans to donate a percentage of the profits from the beers to the development of grassroots football in his home country.
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    He told PA news agency: “I am really looking forward to launching Bale Ale and Bale Lager into Tesco stores across Wales – it’s something we started a few years ago and to see the brand grow is really exciting.
    “Being able to team up and work with Glamorgan Brewing Co, who are based only 10 minutes from my house, makes it even more special and we are extremely proud of what we have created together.
    “With this partnership we aim to give something back to Welsh grassroots football, and in particular, we want to help develop football facilities across Wales on a local level.
    “We hope fans across Wales will be able to enjoy some Bale Ale and Lager as we head into the World Cup this year.”
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    It has not yet been confirmed whether or not Bale’s beers will be stocked across other parts of the UK outside of Wales.
    But there are plans to export it to California in 2023 – where he is currently playing his club football for Los Angeles FC.
    Bale Ale has been described as a “bright, fresh-tasting juicy golden brew” made from Goldings, Columbus and Citra hops.
    While Bale Lager is said to be a “crisp, clean-tasting” drink brewed with Saaz hops.
    The Welsh wizard even poured himself a glass to get a good look at the colourCredit: PA
    Both an ale and a lager will be available for customers in WalesCredit: PA More

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    Tesco and Co-op to close EARLY on Sunday so staff can watch Euro 2020 final as hopes for August Bank Holiday grow

    TESCO and Co-op stores across the country will be shutting up shop early on Sunday so workers can get home in time to watch England’s epic showdown against Italy as football fever grips the nation.It comes amid hopes Boris Johnson will rubber-stamp plans for an extra bank holiday – should the Three Lions claim Euro 2020 victory.
    ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
    Some shop workers are being allowed to finish early on Sunday to enjoy the gameCredit: Reuters
    Tesco Express stores will be closing at 7.45pm on SundayCredit: PA
    The PM has ruled out springing a surprise Bank Holiday on employers this Monday, but with calls mounting for an extra summer bank holiday if England win so the nation can celebrate, No10 could sign off a day in August.
    For now, however, it’s good news for some Tesco and Co-op staff who will be able to enjoy the 8pm clash at Wembley without having to keep one eye on the till as bosses have signed off plans to shut early.
    England’s 1,600 Tesco Express stores will close at 7.45pm on Sunday, instead of midnight, while Co-op will shut its 2,034 food stores at the same time, Sky reports.
    Co-op’s 24 hour petrol stations will also be out of bounds between 7.45pm and 11pm.
    Chris Whitfield, Co-op’s chief operating officer, said: “We appreciate just how much this means to many of our store colleagues and we want them to be able to celebrate at home with their family and friends.”
    Lidl stores will be opening an hour later on Monday morning if England clinch the win at Wembley – while Iceland is delaying opening stores, home deliveries and meetings either way.
    Co-op stores will also be shutting early so staff can get homeCredit: Alamy
    Some companies are letting workers clock in late on MondayCredit: Rex
    The Three Lions bagged a place in the final with a stunning victory over DenmarkCredit: Getty
    The chain will also be halting home deliveries after 7pm on Sunday to let drivers get home in time.
    It comes as England fans are set to get extra time to recover after Sunday night’s Euro final.
    Many firms are allowing staff a lie-in on Monday morning to sleep off the boozy celebrations 
    Schools are also getting in the action, with many announcing that pupils can come in late on Monday so they can enjoy the late-night match.
    In one case, teachers Rossmere Primary School in Hartlepool have told parents they can let their kids have a lie in on Monday morning.
    Parents and carers were told the Euros final will be a “learning opportunity”.
    Students will be able to show up for class by 10.30am on Monday morning.
    Meanwhile, a company boasted that it would give its staff a day off after the Euro 2020 final – before workers were emailed and told they wouldn’t be getting it.
    LookFantastic, which sells beauty, skincare, and haircare products, promised to give its employees a day off after England’s game if their social media post reached a certain number of likes.
    The company, owned by The Hut Group, said that the “fate of Team Fantastic is in your hands” as the amount of “likes” would determine what time work begins on Monday morning.
    And if the post gained 7,000 likes, the firm said that the employees would be given a whole day off after the Euro 2020 final.
    The Instagram post read: “IT’S COMING HOME. In honour of that, we’ve decided to give you the power on what time our teams start work on Monday…
    “You need to act quick though – we’ll take the count at 5pm!”
    Millions are set to watch the final on SundayCredit: Reuters
    The Three Lions will take on Italy on Sunday after seeing off Denmark on WednesdayCredit: Getty
    But in an internal email seen by The Sun Online, employees were told that the “stunt” was just a “great engagement opportunity.”
    Workers were told that the social media target and the promise of a day off after England’s final was “not official comms.”
    Despite the post on Instagram reaching over 30,000 likes – surpassing the top target – workers were told that they were “lucky to have been given the 12pm start.”
    England roared to success against Denmark on Wednesday with Gareth Southgate’s lads bagging a place in the final with a 2-1 win.
    It is the first time in 55 years – since the glorious 1966 World Cup win – England have made it to a major tournament final.
    The nail-biting final will be played at Wembley – with thousands of fans expected to flood the capital’s streets ahead of the title-race game.
    England are now favourites amid a betting spree at bookies.

    The government has already extended pub opening hours to 11.15pm on Sunday in case of extra-time and penalties.
    Mr Johnson signed off plans for extra drinking time for Sunday night’s Wembley showdown.
    Meanwhile, there are calls for Southgate to be made a Sir if he becomes the first England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey to win a trophy. More