On-trade

Suppliers join calls to re-open Dublin’s wet pubs

Three of Ireland’s major drinks companies have joined the calls for Dublin pubs to be treated the same as the rest of the hospitality sector around the country.
The decision to keep Dublin's wet pubs shut has been described as “unfair and disproportionate”.

The decision to keep Dublin’s wet pubs shut has been described as “unfair and disproportionate”.

The decision to keep them shut has been described as “unfair and disproportionate”.

The three LAD suppliers are members of Drinks Ireland, currently running an #OpeningTime campaign calling for all pubs to be opened safely and sustainably from September 21st.

“In our view, the decision to keep Dublin’s wet pubs closed is wrong,” said Maarten Schuurmam, Managing Director of Heineken Ireland, “No other European market has kept its pubs and bars closed this long. Dublin pubs must be given the same opportunity as the rest of the Irish and European hospitality sector to demonstrate that they too can open in a safe and responsible manner.

“As a proud partner of the pub trade, we’ve played our part in supporting the sector by investing in the collection and sustainable repurposing the beer over the past six months. However, yesterday’s decision is hugely damaging for pubs, drinks suppliers and the wider economy of the city and country.”

Oliver Loomes, Managing Director of Diageo Ireland and Chair of Drinks Ireland, said, “We’ve been committed to supporting our pub customers in Dublin and around the country and have demonstrated this time and time again over the past few months, from cleaning beer lines and collecting unused kegs, to providing extended credit and creating a €14 million support fund for bars.

“We have now endured four ‘false starts’ since July and the ongoing approach of discriminating against wet pubs is unfair and inconsistent with the public health approach in the rest of Europe. It’s essential Dublin publicans get the same opportunity as bar owners in every other capital in Europe to open in a safe and sustainable way,” he concluded.

“We welcome the re-opening of wet-led pubs from 21st September following the tremendous effort and investment the hospitality sector has made to allow consumers to enjoy these great places safely,” added Ryan McFarland, Regional Business Director for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with Molson Coors Beverage Company, “The news that Dublin wet-led pubs will be unable to re-open will be devastating to many family-run small and medium-sized businesses who’re already on the brink of closure. It’s imperative now that the Government supports these hard-hit businesses to avoid many of these treasured pubs disappearing forever.”

 

 


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