5% of all pubs in Ireland have not renewed their licenses in the wake of the government’s lockdown and are unlikely to open again according to newly released figures.
Since the first lockdown began, 349 pubs have closed their doors permanently nationwide, with Cork being the worst hit county.
Cork lost 37 pubs, Dublin and Donegal lost 33 each, and Kerry lost 22, according to the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI).
Both industry organisations say that this represents a “dramatic escalation in the crisis faced by pubs.”
“These new figures reveal Covid’s dramatic impact on the trade over the past 19 months,” said Padraig Cribben, the VFI’s Chief Executive.
“To lose 5% of pubs in such a short time frame is unprecedented and underlines how the pub trade bore the brunt of pandemic restrictions.”
Cribben went on to say the government’s lack of clarity on whether or not they’d be extending or ending restrictions on October 22nd was adding to significant unease and “anxiety” within the industry.
“In light of recent speculation about delaying the ending of restrictions, the news that pubs are closing across the country will only heighten anxiety in the trade,” he said.
“Uncertainty is a key factor in why so many pubs have closed so government must put an end to the crisis by announcing the easing of restrictions will proceed as planned.”
On October 22nd all remaining Covid-19 restrictions are due to be abolished, including social distancing, indoor mask-wearing and limits on numbers at various events. It will also represent a return of businesses like nightclubs.
Earlier this month the government voted to extend their emergency powers until January, allowing them to reintroduce these rules at any stage over the next 3 months.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has hinted that the “exceptional” emergency Covid powers seized by the government may not be temporary, as the government votes to extend them until January.#gripthttps://t.co/wGjQjtpq76
— gript (@griptmedia) October 6, 2021
The easing of Covid-19 restrictions originally planned for October 22nd may be delayed, the government has hinted, after members of NPHET expressed concern over recent virus trends.#gripthttps://t.co/zFCjjzf92d
— gript (@griptmedia) October 13, 2021