There’s no place to hide as the World Cup tournament kicks off a month of top-notch football so a host of Shropshire businesses, shops and cinemas are proving it’s better to get off the bench and get in on the act.

Instead of showing the red card to fans and employees, they are getting in on the fun and games. Debenhams at Telford Shopping Centre has today announced it will be running a creche for football fans during the next four weeks.

There will be comfy seating in the menswear department and a flat screen television showing all the games to be played in trading hours.

They will also be showing classic games at other times to give weary soccer ‘widows’ the chance to shop and be pampered while their husbands keep up with the action in South Africa.

Meanwhile Hatchers Solicitors in Shrewsbury will be welcoming up to 50 members of the Shropshire business community for a ‘beer and balti’ afternoon as England takes on Slovenia during the working day on June 23 with a 3pm kick-off.

The idea is to give a quick-fire update on the latest legal news during the half-time break.

William Lamplugh, employment expert with the firm, said employers should try and strike a balance during the world cup for fans hoping to see the games as it can unite workplaces and foster networking opportunities.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em is certainly the motto at Telford’s Odeon Cinema, which is opening up one of its screens to show the England v United States World Cup clash on Saturday night.

Cinemas are expecting one of their quietest weekends of the year but the 10-screen cinema at Forgegate, in the town centre, has decided to join in the World Cup fun by staging a free screening of the game.

A spokesman for Odeon Telford said doors would open at 6.15pm for the screening of the game, which kicks off at 7.30pm.

“All tickets are free, but you can book seats in advance,” he said.

By Tracey O’Sullivan