2012 “one of the worst years on record” for rural pubs

2012 was one of the worst years on record for rural publicans and as they face into another 12 months under a government that doesn’t appreciate the role they play and with some suppliers not appreciating the business that they give, according to a statement from the VFI recently which added that the future is bleak and “the majority of its membership is very downbeat to put it mildly”.

The Federation criticised the recent excise tax increase which combined with some major suppliers increasing prices “in an untimely and unwelcome manner”.

In addition, 2012 was a year which saw no leadership from local government with regard to local charges and rates, it stated.
“To be clear our members support over 54,000 jobs in Ireland. These are local families depending on local employment in local areas,” stated the VFI, “At a time when we should be celebrating, there’s a dark cloud over these 54,000 jobs. Trade is down 34 per cent in the last five years and without doubt the announcements made in Budget 2013 will put further pressure on a consumer that is already struggling and has no confidence in their purchasing power. When we should be encouraging people to spend and to support local business, we have driven them away.

“Successive governments have watched as the corner shop, the local post office, rural schools and Garda stations have been driven to the wall and the present administration seem happy to do the same to the Irish pub.

“An astonishing 20% of our members are at crisis point. 800 pubs are in serious financial trouble as they face 2013. That is 4,800 jobs at risk; 4,800 new signatures on the live register. Because they will be in twos and threes nobody seems to take notice or indeed care.  It is also 800 family businesses facing a terribly uncertain future.”