Publicans warn of death of small rural pubs

Publicans across the country have warned of the death of small rural pubs as the lockdown continues for the sector.

The decision to halt phase four of the reopening has been met with fury and despair by pub owners across Meath who were dealt a massive blow yesterday with the government's decision to postpone reopening for at least three weeks.

The vintners organisations have accused the government of abandoning 3,500 smaller pubs and warned that many businesses wont survived the prolonged closure and uncertainty.

So-called wet pubs – those that don't serve food - have to remain closed for the foreseeable future while those that are also restaurants are open.

Nobber publican Johnny Keogan said the government's decision was a major blow, which could see many rural pubs closed their doors for good.

“This is really the noose around the neck for a lot of publicans, especially those who are over 66 and cannot get the Covid payment.

“There are a lot of heart-broken pub owners out there who invested a lot of their lives in the business and who cannot see a future.

“Pubs cannot wait another three weeks and then maybe hear its postponed again.”

Mr Keogan said he was hoping to “hold on” and is considering his options, but he can see many rural pubs, where owners will not reopen their doors.

“We are considering providing food, but then we have to look at the possibility of making a huge investment in a kitchen and then maybe facing another lockdown.

He said the sector needs much stronger supports than those contained in the July Stimulus Package.

“There needs to be a difference in the VAT rates between pubs and supermarkets and we need changes or a rebate on excise duty.”

Damien Clarke of Clarke's pub in Navan agreed that the government needed to step up and support the publicans that have been closed down for five months

“We need some sort of rescue package, like a rebate on last years VAT returns. They need to look at VAT, the two per cent VAT rate isn't enough.

“We need a separate package for the hospitality industry because it is on its knees,” he said

“We don't know how long this will go on. If they told us now we won't be opening for months I could go off and get another job and think of opening in the new year, but they've said it is for three weeks. In three weeks they could do the same again.

“I have been 35 years in the business and was never a day out of work. Now I've been sitting on my hands for the past five months.

“It is not good enough. I have staff and I don't know what to tell them about when they will be coming back to work.

“I have no doubt there will be many pubs that will never reopen.

“The mental strain is putting people over the edge.”