PUBS and clubs are stocking up on gallons more beer ahead of the UEFA European Championships in France.

With England, Wales and both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in action over the coming weeks, landlords have ordered in up to 50 per cent extra stock to make sure fans do not go thirsty.

Hosts France play Romania tonight after the traditional opening ceremony, while England and Wales’ openers are on Saturday.

Graeme Da Silva, manager at Walkabout in West Street, Brighton, said: “We have up-scaled our orders both on drinks and food and we’ve got extra staff in as well to deal with the increased demand.

“On food and drink, we’ve probably got 30 per cent or 40 per cent more than we had in last weekend.

“We’re showing all the games so for Walkabout the Euros is our bread and butter.

“We’re making sure all the teams get a decent showing and we’ll have food and drink going on as well as a bit of live music.”

England and Wales find themselves in the same group, and both home nations play their final group games at the same time on Monday, June 20.

But this is something Mr Da Silva has under control.

He added: “We can split the bar up into zones, so showing multiple games isn’t a problem and we’ve got some private areas too so we can screen three games at any one time.

“I’m really looking forward to stepping it up a gear and we’re excited for it all to kick off.”

At the Duke of Wellington in Upper Gloucester Road, Brighton, every staff member will be pulling pints.

Charlie Aukett from the Duke of Wellington said: “We have some staff who only do one shift a week, but we’ve got them all in for the Euros.

“Judging by the sales targets, we’ve got between 30 per cent to 50 per cent more stock in than we usually would.

“It should be great, we’re looking forward to it.”

Mark Harmsworth, manager at Font in Brighton, said he was looking forward to the tournament and that a big night with live music before and a DJ following the England game on Saturday.

For fans looking for a slightly more laid back approach, the beach is the place to be.

Ibis, which has a branch on Queens Road, Brighton, is giving supporters the opportunity to watch all the big games at the Euros on the Brighton Big Screen from their hotel beds.

Running until July 10, Ibis has created a VIP area on the beach to the east of Palace Pier where guests can lie back on the beds to watch the big games.

The Argus:

I COULD not believe my luck when my editor asked me to report on the Euros. 


After 58 years of Wales not qualifying for a major football tournament, my boys were back in the big time. 


I was one of 73,026 inside the Millennium Stadium on November 19, 2003, who witnessed Mark Hughes’ team lose 1-0 to Russia and miss out on Euro 2004 when Greece went on to win it. 


That could’ve been us. 


It could’ve been Giggs, Speed, Savage and Hartson lifting that trophy. 
Not to worry – this is the real golden generation that will ease the pain of decades of disappointing decay.


I’d get the chance to report on Gareth Bale driving through the English defence to score a late winner, Joe Ledley’s beard striking fear into the Slovaks and Ashley Williams shutting out the Russians to knock England out of the tournament.


It would be like the Rugby World Cup all over again. 


Then, the bubble burst. 


“Gareth, you’ll be covering England,” said Mike Gilson, editor of The Argus. 


I’d brought all my best Welsh gear for the photoshoot, only to be handed a St George’s flag.

Despair.

The Argus:


But, ever the professional, I aim to bring you the best bits from England’s Euros campaign, even if it means Roy Hodgson’s men going all the way to be crowned kings of Europe.


Wales are the first of the home nations to open their campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux at 5pm on Saturday followed by England’s opener against Russia at 8pm in Marseille. 


Northern Ireland are in action against Poland at 5pm on Sunday in Nice while the Republic of Ireland will have to wait until Monday for their first game of the competition in Paris when they take on Sweden. 


But we want to know how will the people of Sussex be watching the games?


Are you travelling over to France? 


Are you throwing a Euros party? 


Will you be decorating the house or dressing up your pets as your favourite players? 


Whatever you’re up to – The Argus wants to know. 


l Email our resident Welshman and Euros Correspondent Gareth Davies on gareth.davies@theargus.co.uk or call 01273 544531 with your stories.

The Argus: