Any delay in full reopening of pubs will 'devastate' sector - VFI

Any delay to the full reopening of the hospitality industry on July 5 will devastate the pub sector, according to the Vintner's Federation of Ireland.

In a statement released today, the VFI says that reports that there is only a "50-50" chance that the reopening of the sector will proceed as planned is causing "huge concern and stress" to publicans and their staff.

Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, says: “The comments from government ministers that the July 5 reopening may be delayed is causing huge upset and concern in the hospitality sector. With only two weeks to go it’s not acceptable to treat our members in this manner.

“There are just eight weeks in the summer season for pubs to recoup some of the massive losses accumulated over the past 15 months, so to tell publicans they may lose any of those weeks will devastate the trade. The business generated in July and August will sustain most pubs through the winter and into next year so for government to delay reopening during the summer will impact the sector to a much greater degree than, for instance, a delay in January.

“Publicans are busy rehiring staff and ordering stock so this new uncertainty places them in an impossible position. They need immediate confirmation that reopening on July 5 will proceed as planned. The fact government will not make a final decision until Friday July 2 – just three days before reopening – illustrates how detached ministers are from the realities of running a business. The mental stress this uncertainty is placing on our members cannot be overstated.

“The easing of restrictions and reopening of society has been a relatively smooth process that publicans support, including the resumption of outdoor trade on June 7. It’s beyond belief we are now thinking of going backwards while the rest of Europe moves forward. Pubs in England reopened indoors on May 17 while pubs in Northern Ireland have been fully open for over four weeks. Denmark is allowing 40,000 spectators attend Euro 2020 matches.

“We are also facing the resumption of unrestricted travel to EU countries from July 19. Is the government seriously suggesting that people can travel to Spain for a pint while pubs back home remain shut?

“We’re already lagging behind the UK and mainland Europe when it comes to reopening. July 5 must proceed as planned,” says Mr Cribben.