Cheshire West and Chester Council said it will fly the England flag from civic buildings and council offices from 11th June as the team heads into the World Cup, a public show of support that comes with a warning about where flags can and cannot be put up.
The timing is no accident. England’s first World Cup game is on Wednesday 17th June at 9pm, and the council wants its backing to be visible before kick-off. It said the flags will go up while England remain in the competition, though it did not say how many buildings will be involved or how long the display will last after that.
The council said residents and businesses can fly an England World Cup flag from their own home or property, but not on streetlights, road signs or other highway infrastructure. That line matters because the council said such displays are unlawful and unacceptable, and that they create avoidable risks for drivers and pedestrians. Any flags attached to council property or street furniture such as lamp posts and road signs will be taken down.
It also warned that damage to council-owned infrastructure will be treated as criminal damage and reported to police. Instead of fixing flags to public structures, the council suggested supporters mark the tournament at home with a World Cup party, England colours, face painting, football-themed games, a match-day snack table and other decorations before kick-off.
The message is clear: the council wants the town to be behind England, but only in ways that do not put people or public property at risk. For supporters planning to mark the tournament this week, the safest and most visible option is their own house, not the roadside.
