Anger at Government decision to delay further pub re-openings until August 10 at the earliest

Opinion
16 Jul 20

"House parties on the Bank Holiday or people spread out in controlled pub environments, which makes more sense?" asks one leading publican

The Government's announcement that Irish bars which don't sell food won't be able to open until August 10 has prompted widespread anger in the licensed trade.
Having originally been included in the proposed July 20 Phase 4 re-opening, publicans started fearing that there would be further delays when the operating guidelines they'd been promised weren't published.
Summing up the dilemma they were facing because of the uncertainty, Limerick's Pharmacia bar and venue said on Monday this week: "We’d accept not being able to open if it’s in the public’s best interests but we need to know so we can order stock and make sure systems and staff are ready."

Having belatedly been told to put the stock ordering on 'hold' yesterday because of a spike in new Covid-19 cases, hundreds of pubs are now in very real danger of never re-opening.

I’m absolutely gutted about the delay,” Aiden O’Connor of Mike The Pies in Listowel tells Hot Press. “The way I see it, the real problem areas are airports and house parties. We’ve been working very hard to get ready, so this is a real set-back. Just give us the guidelines so that we can plan properly and let us get on with it. That’s all I’d ask.”

Echoing those sentiments, the co-owner of The Duke in Athy, Bren Kelly, says: "Publicans would not have been so annoyed today had the information about August 10 been relayed earlier. We all treat this situation seriously. House parties on the Bank Holiday or people spread out in controlled pub environments, which makes more sense?"

In an in-depth statement, the CEO of the Licensed Vinters Association, Donal O'Keeffe describes yesterday's decision to delay as "A hammer blow for our industry.
"Most pubs who are yet to reopen will have had zero revenue and no income for 147 days," he continues. "That equates to 40% of a year It does appear that pubs are being singled out. Pubs were first to close and last to reopen. No other part of the domestic economy is still shut. We have continually been placed in the last phase of the reopening road-map. It has to be acknowledged that the pubs who are closed were not responsible for the growing levels of infection reported by NPHET over the last week. Yet it is those same pubs who are being asked to take a further financial hit.

“A mature, detailed conversation is now needed about the State’s plans for the pub sector. All we want is an opportunity to trade, but we can’t continue with this uncertainty. What happens if there are further spikes in the level of infection or even a second wave? We did not create this crisis, but as an industry we are taking a disproportionate level of economic responsibility for how it is being addressed.

“If the public health requirements involve the Government treating pubs as a special case, then we’re also going to need special treatment. Our doors are closed by Government mandate. They are restricting us from earning a living. If that is what is required then the Government should pay compensation to pubs who must stay closed. The Government made this decision, so the onus is on them to help – if they want an industry which includes 7,000 businesses and employs 50,000 people to survive.

“Specifically, there must be immediate additional grant aid for pubs, based on their licence band. When these pubs re-open, the Wage Subsidy Scheme must remain in place for as long as social restrictions apply. There must be a cut on the VAT rate on on-trade alcohol until year-end to allow the businesses boost their margins and have some chance of viability. Commercial rates must be abolished for 2020 in light of this extended closure.

“From an economic perspective, a massive burden is being placed on our sector. It’s incredibly hard on publicans, their families and staff. Most of these pubs are small businesses. They were gearing up to reopen next week, and now, with just minimal notice, their doors will now have to remain shut. This is extremely disappointing for the pubs who were getting ready to open next week. The rug has been pulled out from under them with only a few days notice. Surely this is not the way any sector of an economy should be treated, even during a crisis. To avoid any similar problems the guidelines must now be urgently published to allow pubs and staff to make the necessary public safety adjustments in sufficient time.

“The very future of the pub trade in this country is now at stake. Pubs have and will continue to play their part in protecting public health, but Government must now play its part too. They must take immediate action to ensure the survival of the trade, which is so integral to the recovery of the social and business life of villages, towns and cities right across the country. Some 7,000 pubs and 50,000 jobs are now dependent of a meaningful and urgent response from the new Government.”