ALL PUBS in South Gloucestershire are to be closed for the upcoming royal wedding to “give landlords a day off”, it has been revealed.

Prince Harry is set to wed American actress and humanitarian Meghan Markle on May 19 in a star-studded ceremony at Windsor Castle.

But while many across the country have called out for the day to be made a national holiday, it has been announced today by South Gloucestershire Council that all pubs will be closed.

The royal wedding is the first in history to break tradition and happen on a Saturday, which is controversially on the same day as the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

But despite the annual sporting event normally being one of the biggest days on the calendar for alcohol sales, the Gazette understands the shock decision will stand.

A statement from the council’s licensing department said: “Our publicans are always expected to exhaust themselves working every time a national celebration like this comes around, so we thought we would give them a day off instead and they can go get blind drunk somewhere else themselves.”

A Thornbury Pubwatch spokesman said that it was a shame that pubs in the area would lose out on a day of trade, but were fully supportive of the council’s decision and at least it meant they don’t need to add any “annoying little gits” to their lists that day.

Despite only just being announced, the decision has already received mixed reaction online.

Roy Alfan said: “I think this is a great idea. It shows support for our royal family. I will toast the decision when I go grab a pint in Berkeley.”

High profile pub supporter Al Coholic argued however that he wants to drink in his local “Chipping Shotbury” and if he couldn’t, he would “kick off”, although no one really knew what that meant.

Many people have of course worked out this was our April Fools joke this year. Hope you enjoy the royal wedding (and FA Cup final) however you choose to spend it!