English way of life

The next WYSC, to be held in Birmingham, has just been publicised on mailing lists. One line reads "Nothing happens in England until late morning – shops don’t open until 10am. Hence meals tend to be later, with the evening meal happening around 8pm or later. WYSC timetable will reflect the local way of life".

That hardly sounds like the England I remember (in fact it's more redolent of Mediterranean culture). I know there's a retail malaise gripping the country in a VICELIKE# manner, but shops are generally open earlier, and a lot of the natives dine closer to 6pm. Anyway, I'll get a chance to verify the assertion myself in May; I'll be visiting for a week because mum is unwell.