Return to normal trading hours 'a step in the right direction', says local publican
(Above) Liam Gilleran, president of the Westmeath branch of the VFI.
The government's decision to permit the hospitality sector to return to pre-Covid trading hours is a “step in the right direction”, according to the president of the Westmeath branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this afternoon, Mullingar publican Liam Gilleran, who is also the president of the Westmeath branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, said that with Covid figures going in the wrong direction again it is “understandable” that the government erred on the side of caution and decided against removing any further restrictions, such as allowing customers to stand or sit at bar counters.
“It is a step in the right direction. It is good to see restrictions being lifted regarding social events such as concerts and weddings. To be honest it is a good lift before Christmas.
“At the end of the day we'd have liked to have seen more, but to be honest we didn't really expect more because of the way the numbers are going.”
While he understands why the government decided to retain restrictions such as mandatory table service in place, Mr Gilleran questions the science behind it.
“I know most vintners think that it's a nonsense that you can't sit or stand at the bar counter, yet I can go down and do table service. I am as near to someone then as when I am behind the bar counter.
“For whatever particular reason someone in NPHET has a set against bar counters. I heard one doctor say that alcohol makes people drop their guards but equally I see people dropping their guards in supermarkets, at football matches. They are called social events, it's human nature.
“I think it is a bit unfair that pubs are being stigmatised. That's been obvious for a long time, but look there is light at the end of the tunnel. It could have been more severe, but there would have been a serious backlash.”
The hospitality sector has bounced back in many towns and urban centres thanks to young people returning to pubs and restaurants in large numbers. However, Mr Gilleran says that there is a “nervousness” among older generations when it comes to returning to their local and this is hitting rural pubs hardest.
“Three hundred and forty nine pubs have closed across the country since last March 12 months. That's five per cent of our membership. It might not seem like a whole lot to people, but 350 closures is serous, especially in rural settings where communities are losing post offices, banks and now their pub," Mr Gilleran said.