Christmas Eve wins battle of the big nights out
Over 73% of Irish people will visit the pub this Christmas, with the majority voting Christmas Eve as their favourite ‘night out’ over the festive period, according to an online poll conducted by the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI). The poll of over 6,000 Irish Twitter users reveals Christmas Eve, with 45% of the […]
Top 5 food trends of 2018
As pubs and restaurants gear up for another busy year in the food market, what new ingredients or stand out trends can you expect to see in 2018? Food trends expert at Musgrave MarketPlace, Dr Deirdre Moriarty has put together a list of the five key trends and ingredients we can expect to see coming in […]
VFI member recognised for transport service
VFI member, Thomas Treacy from Treacy’s Bar & Restaurant, Portlaoise has received an award and special recognition from the Road Safety Authority for his transport service. Treacy’s Bar & Restaurant, which is located approximately 5km from Portlaoise, is in an area with no public transport. Publican Thomas Treacy told TheJournal.ie that they’ve always been focused on making sure […]
Publicans need taste for five a day as they battle Netflix and gym
Business consultant Alan O’Neill writes a weekly column about making the most of your business for The Sunday Independent. In this week’s column he focuses on the challenges faced by rural pubs and highlights Irish Pun Awards winner, The Porter House, Castlebridge, Wexford as an example of a pub doing things right. The feature is […]
Self-employed publicans now entitled to sick pay
For the first time ever the self-employed including publicans are now entitled to long-term sick pay. From the 1st of December nearly 326,000 self-employed people are entitled to long-term sick pay. The invalidity pension, paid at a weekly rate of €198.50, with possible increases for an adult dependent and child dependents, is a payment for people […]
Cellar safety programme will protect staff
Cellar safety in pubs is being tackled ahead of Christmas trade with help of the Licensed Premises/Cellar Safety campaign. The Irish Brewers Association and the Health & Safety Authority have co-launched a programme designed for Publicans and Bar Managers to enhance basic safety practices in cellars, cold rooms and across all areas of bars, restaurants, […]
5 Pub Design Tips To Help Boost Business
Fionuala Lennon of The Pub Design Company offers five successful design tips that she says will attract more customers and help boost your business. With over 25 years in the Pub Design business, Fionuala and her team have designed over 100 venues many of them hugely successful and they are still going strong. They have […]
Pub Inspections… Here’s what you need to know!
What should you expect from a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Inspection? If prepared a Workplace Relations Commissioned inspection need not be a difficult task for an employer. Specialised HR firm, Aperture Partners Advisory have partnered with the VFI to offer members advice and expertise on employment law. Aperture advises on what to expect when an inspector […]
Domestic pets now allowed in pubs
Domestic pets will be allowed to enter pubs as food hygiene regulations dating back to 1950’s which prohibited pet owners from bringing their dogs and cats inside restaurants, cafés and pubs has now been repealed. Patrons will now be allowed to bring domestic animals into the pub once permission is granted by the food business operator or […]
Publicans lend support to ‘Designated Driver’ campaign
Coca-Cola HBC Ireland has launched its 13th annual Designated Driver campaign 2017. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people across the island of Ireland to give the ‘Gift of a Lift’ to friends and loved-ones this Christmas, by staying sober on nights out to ensure they get home safely. To support these selfless […]
VFI supports award for ‘Best Final Year Student’ in DIT
Congratulations to Trudy Mathews, winner of the VFI sponsored award for ‘Best Final Year Student on the BSc (Hons) degree in Bar Studies (Management & Entrepreneurship)’. Trudy revived her award at a recent prize giving ceremony in DIT Cathal Brugha Street. Speaking at the awards, Dr Frank Cullen, said that “this prestigious occasion marks students’ […]
Food Safety Day 2017
The National Hygiene Patnership (NHP) ”Food Safety Day” will take place on Tuesday 21st of November 2017. The purpose of this day is to create awareness, draw attention of food businesses to food safety and promote the importance of food safety training. Click HERE to download the NHP poster.
VFI calls for industry to fully support MUP
The VFI has said now is the time for the entire Irish drinks industry to fully support the Government’s plans to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP). The call comes as the UK Supreme Court rejected an appeal against the introduction of minimum unit pricing. Scotland is now set to become the first country in Europe to […]
VFI calls for drinks industry to fully support minimum unit pricing Â
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has welcomed today’s decision (15th November) by the UK Supreme Court to reject an appeal against the introduction of minimum unit pricing. Scotland is now set to become the first country in Europe to have a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol. Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive, VFI, says: “The decision […]
Pub food sales continue positive climb
The increase in range, diversity and quality of food in Irish pubs is underlined by a new report that reveals €1,353bn is spent on food in pubs annually. The 2017 Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report released by Bord Bia states that the value of Irish foodservice market (food purchased for consumption outside the home) is […]
Publicans urge Minister to expedite Public Health (Alcohol) Bill
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland today (9th November) says it fully supports the provisions of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and urges Minister for Health Simon Harris to press ahead with implementation of the Bill. Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive, VFI, states: “The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is a serious piece of legislation that all medical […]
Wexford celebrates as The Porter House, Castlebridge wins Pub of the Year 2017
The Porter House, based in Castlebridge, Co Wexford, has won the overall Irish Pub Awards National Irish Pub of the Year 2017. The Wexford pub was crowned national champion after winning the Best Local Pub, one of eight categories announced at last night’s awards. The Awards were presented by Minister of State for Tourism and […]
VFI hosts UKILTA in Kilkenny
The United Kingdom and Ireland Licensed Trade Association (UKILTA) recently held its annual meeting in Kilkenny. Hosted by VFI President and local publican Pat Crotty the meeting discussed a wide range of issues including Brexit, rates and minimum unit pricing. Representatives from Scotland and the north of England said Brexit would impact the trade’s access […]
15 VFI members feature in Michelin’s ‘Eating Out in Pubs 2018’ guide
Congratulations to the Fifteen VFI members who received recognition in Michelin’s recently published Eating Out in Pubs Guide for 2018. Thirty Irish pubs in total were acknowledged for serving high quality food, twenty-two are based in the Republic of Ireland, while eight are in Northern Ireland. It is a great achievement for all of our […]
Bord na Mona launches Hearth Session pub search
Bord na Móna is launching a search for pubs with the cosiest firesides across the country. If you think your pub fits the bill you could win the opportunity to host an intimate acoustic Hearth Session featuring a special blend of some of Ireland’s finest musical talent. Supported by the Vintners Federation of Ireland, pubs […]