GOVERNMENT HAS ABANDONED 3,500 PUBS SAY VFI
The Government has abandoned the 3,500 smaller pubs across Ireland following their decision to stop pubs from reopening next week according to the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI). The two representative bodies now believe the sector is facing a full blown crisis which will place “intolerable pressure” on publicans, […]
‘Open the pubs’ demand publicans ahead of ‘make or break’ Government decision
Over 3,500 publicans across Ireland, who are desperate to open next Monday (10th August), say they feel used as a ‘messaging tool’ by the Government that wishes, say publicans, to convey its public health message through keeping pubs shut. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the ongoing treatment of their members, including postponing the […]
Stimulus package of little relevance to closed pubs, say Vintners
VAT reduction for on-trade alcohol, while welcome, does nothing for the 3,500 pubs that remain closed Two-tier sector exists in drinks industry with over half of Ireland’s pubs still closed Government guidelines and Covid measures limit the capacity of pubs to trade in the long term – with reduced demand and reduced capacity, consumers ability […]
Publicans dealt a “hammer blow” by Government decision to postpone reopening, says VFI
The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the Government decision to postpone the planned reopening of pubs next Monday is a shocking development that will have huge ramifications for family-run pubs across Ireland. Publicans are stunned by the unexpected decision, given the first three phases of exiting lockdown proceeded as planned including the reopening of […]
3,499 pubs yet to open urgently require publication of 20th July guidelines
3,499 pubs who are yet to open have called for the urgent publication of the reopening guidelines, according the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI). Despite being due to open in just 11 days, these pubs still don’t know how they will need to adapt their businesses to ensure they comply with the public health requirements. […]
22,500 jobs at risk as pubs on track for 50% decline in business for the remainder of 2020
Economist Anthony Foley authors report on impact of Covid-19 on the drinks industry and analyses the effect of a reduced VAT rate on on-trade alcohol sales Report concludes that consumer demand will be lower after lockdown due to higher unemployment and reduced earnings while it will likely be 2023 before we reach pre-Covid labour market […]
Drinks industry calls for reduction in alcohol VAT rate
The VFI, along with LVA and the Ibec representative group Drinks Ireland, is calling for a temporary reduction in the hospitality VAT rate; and extending it to apply to alcohol sales in the on-trade (pubs and bars), until 31 December 2020. The three representative organisations urgently convened as a group last week to consider the […]
Partial reopening of pubs brings opportunity and responsibility, says VFI
The partial opening of the country’s pubs will enable publicans to start rebuilding their businesses after three months of enforced closure, but will also introduce an onerous responsibility on them to ensure new health guidelines are properly enforced, says the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI). From Monday 29th June, pubs serving food are allowed trade […]
Almost 3 out of 4 pub goers plan on returning during first month
Almost 3 out of every 4 regular pub goers plan on returning during the first month of reopening, according to new research commissioned by the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) as well as alcohol suppliers Heineken, Diageo, Irish Distillers and C&C Group. The research showed that 74% of people who […]
VFI calls for full & immediate publication of pub guidelines
The VFI and LVA have called for the full and immediate publication of the guidelines for the reopening of pubs, saying the “drip feed” release is sowing confusion throughout the industry, creating more questions than answers. The representative bodies for pubs throughout the country also questioned why Fáilte Ireland did not release the pub guidelines […]
New guidelines announced by Failte Ireland
The Department of Transport & Tourism has indicated that one-metre social distancing could potentially be introduced in pubs. The Department has also clarified the definition of a pub serving food. The full press release from Failte Ireland reads as follows: “Fáilte Ireland has received guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre entitled “COVID19: Guidance […]
Supports for pub sector must be key focus for new government, says VFI
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has welcomed the publication of the Programme for Government as an important step in the process of providing key supports for the pub trade during an extremely challenging period for the sector. The representative body for publicans says its members are encouraged that the new government is to establish an SME task force to co-ordinate […]
VFI welcome earlier pub reopening dates
Publican representatives have welcomed the Government announcement that pubs will reopen on 20th July, three weeks earlier than originally planned and that pubs who serve food can reopen at the same time as the rest of the hospitality sector on 29th June. Both the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said this will come […]
Pub capacity may drop to as little as one eight of pre crisis levels
Typical bar/ restaurant to face 87% reduction in capacity with 2m social distancing. Capacities in pubs and bar/restaurants will drop to as little as one eighth of pre Covid-19 crisis levels under the HSE social distancing guidelines, according to a new report published by the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licensed Vintners Association (LVA). […]
New Government must support SMEs to reboot economy
Government should set up a State agency with specific responsibility to grow and develop SMEs says a new Economic Report from the Local Jobs Alliance. The Alliance is an umbrella group of seven leading trade organisations whose members make up 24,850 businesses who employ 448,000 people throughout Ireland. The organisations are representative of SME businesses […]
VFI and LVA seeking urgent meeting with government
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licensed Vintners’ Association (LVA) have written to the Government accepting their invitation to discuss the Government Roadmap and its implications for pubs as a matter of urgency. This follows commitments made by Ministers over the weekend that the Government will meet with the two representative bodies for publicans […]
Government decision treats publicans as ‘second-class’ citizens
MAYDAY FOR PUBS AS GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TREATS THEM AS “SECOND CLASS CITIZENS” – VFI AND LVA Social distancing presents same challenges to all hospitality businesses Government need to explain why they have discriminated against pubs Call on Government to work with industry on a reopening plan Keeping pubs closed, while restaurants and cafes […]
VFI calls for equality in response to hospitality sector reopening plans
The VFI is calling for equality for our members after today’s media reports that restaurants could open before pubs when the planned easing of lockdown restrictions is introduced. Such a scenario would create a two-tier hospitality sector and would place pubs at a huge disadvantage as they attempt to rebuild their businesses. If reports are […]
Publicans require clarity about reopening
Statement from Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive, VFI: “Regarding when can pubs reopen our members need answers. At present, there is little hard facts about a possible timeline other than the thoughts of some ministers when asked during interviews. “We’re asking Minister Simon Harris to meet with representatives of the pub sector to discuss a pathway […]
VFI welcomes government commitment to suspend commercial rates
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has welcomed confirmation from government that commercial rates will be suspended while pubs are closed during the Covid-19 crisis. VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben states: “This commitment from government to suspend commercial rates for pubs for the duration of the crisis is welcome news for our sector, which has already been closed for almost five […]