8pm closing no compromise for decimated pub trade
The Government decision to introduce a restricted closing time of 8pm for the hospitality sector until the end of January is the final gut punch for a sector that has faced an unprecedented pummelling since the pandemic started 20 months ago. According to the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) the 8pm closing time makes little […]
Cutting EWSS “scandalous” decision as pub trade cancelled for Christmas, says VFI
Today’s cut in the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is heaping huge pressure on publicans and the wider hospitality sector as it faces a bleak Christmas season where the message from Government is to ‘stay away’ from pubs and venues across the country. According to the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) the EWSS is a […]
Supports vital as new curfew introduced – VFI
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the news that restricted trading hours are set to be reintroduced is a hugely disappointing development for the many late-night pubs and night clubs many of whom will now be forced to shut just three weeks after reopening. Supports for businesses who will now have to shut must […]
VFI statement following meeting with Department of the Taoiseach
At today’s meeting between the Department of the Taoiseach and representatives of the hospitality sector, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) reiterated its consistent stance that all guidelines must be followed by VFI members and the wider trade as society continues to deal with Covid. At the meeting, government officials requested that trade associations assist […]
Hapless night club guidelines cap shambolic week, say VFI
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says that guidelines published for the night club and late bar sectors will lead to confusion among both staff and customers and will be impossible to implement. The VFI says that making late night events ‘all ticket’, which must be purchased in advance, will lead to public order incidents […]
Significant anomalies remain but partial reopening of bar counter welcome, says VFI
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says that while anomalies remain in the guidelines for pubs compared to guidelines for night clubs, the partial reopening of bar counters is a welcome development that will ease the staffing burden on publicans. From tomorrow customers in pubs will be allowed order at the bar counter before returning […]
Another devastating day for pub trade, says VFI
The announcement that pubs must continue with mandatory table service while not permitting customers sit or stand at the bar counter until next February at the earliest is a devastating blow to a sector that was expecting to see all restrictions removed this week, says the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI). The VFI says maintaining […]
Loss of 349 pubs reveals dramatic Covid impact on sector – VFI & LVA
349 pubs have closed since the beginning of the pandemic, which vintners representatives say signal the extent of the distress faced by pubs as restrictions continue to impact the sector. According to the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licenced Vintners’ Association (LVA) the revelation of a 5% drop in pub licence renewals is a […]
Extension of business supports for pubs welcomed by VFI
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has welcomed the announcement in Budget 2022 that the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to be extended until April of next year. The VFI says this will give members the opportunity to retain staff during a period when significant consumer uncertainty remains and tourist numbers will be depressed. […]
Budget supports crucial for pub trade
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the upcoming Budget must contain measures that will support the pub trade during what promises to be a challenging 2022. The Federation is calling for a continuation of the commercial rates waiver until June of next year for its members who were closed for almost 18 months. The […]
As pubs reopen VFI says new guidelines ‘onerous and impractical’
Pubs across the country will welcome customers indoors today, many for the first time since March 2020. While reopening for indoor trading is hugely significant for the trade, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says its vital customers cooperate with publicans and their staff who will be working under challenging conditions. The VFI says the […]
Reopening indoor hospitality – VFI statement
The VFI has been involved in high-level discussions with senior Government officials over the past week to find a path to allow pubs reopen for indoor trading. The discussions follow the postponement of the July 5th reopening. Following today’s meeting, six reopening scenarios will be presented to Cabinet for a final decision next Tuesday. While six […]
Unworkable plan unfair to publicans says VFI
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) emphatically rejects NPHET advice to Government that only the fully vaccinated should be admitted to indoor hospitality venues. The VFI says the plan is unworkable and that it will only increase pressure on publicans and their staff. Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, says: “The idea that only allowing the […]
Any delay to reopening will devastate pub sector says VFI
The scheduled full reopening of the hospitality sector on 5th July will mean a return to work for over 25,000 staff and the opportunity for pubs to trade during a busy summer season. The eight weeks until the end of August is a vital period for publicans as it remains the only realistic opportunity to […]
‘We’ve missed you’ say publicans as outdoor service resumes
Over 50% of Ireland’s pubs will reopen today (Monday 7th June) for outdoor service and welcome back customers for the first time this year. Approximately 4,000 pubs are expected to resume trading while 25,000 staff will return to work, says the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI). Publicans are reporting strong bookings for the first day […]
Pubs to reopen indoors on Monday 5th July – VFI statement
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has welcomed the announcement that pubs can reopen indoors from the first week of July but is urging the Government to bring forward the opening date by just four days to allow their members trade for an extra weekend. In advance of opening indoors, the VFI is also calling […]
Publicans call for indoor opening “no later” than 1st July
Publicans are calling for indoor trading to resume no later than Thursday 1st July. The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland says that after sacrificing their businesses for over 15 months, now is the time for Government to confirm to its members that pubs can fully reopen by the first week in July in time for the […]
Outdoor reopening important first step but only short-term solution says VFI
The announcement that pubs can reopen for outdoor trading from 7th June is an important and welcome first step but Government must now ensure indoor trading can resume as soon as possible, says the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI). The call for a resumption of indoor trading comes after it was confirmed hotels can open […]
Wicklow Publican Paul Moynihan is named new VFI President
Paul Moynihan is the new Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) President. Paul, who runs a family pub in rural Wicklow, takes over from outgoing President Padraic McGann, from Monivea, Co Galway. Paul was appointed President at the VFI AGM, which took place against the backdrop of the ongoing closure of the country’s pubs. Speaking to […]
‘Reopen like North’ say publicans ahead of Government hospitality announcement
The vast majority of publicans want to be allowed reopen like Northern Ireland where all hospitality outlets will open together this week without any division between food and non-food pubs or the requirement for a substantial meal, a new survey reveals. The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the upcoming Government announcement about reopening hospitality […]