The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) is asking landlords to meet with their tenants and come to a mutually acceptable agreement about rent payments during the enforced closure of pubs across the country.

A significant number of pubs are run by publicans who are renting the premises from landlords. With the Government order last week to shut all pubs to combat the spread of Covid-19, publicans are experiencing huge financial strain. The risk is that when the crisis ends many pubs will be unable to reopen. 

VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben states: “Since the enforced shutdown we have worked with the banks, TV subscription services, drink suppliers and other suppliers to come to an agreement about forbearance and payment suspension for the coming months. The clear majority, understanding the crisis pubs are facing, have made meaningful efforts to accommodate our members.

“We need landlords to exercise the same understanding because there is little point in demanding money that isn’t there. We need to work together to get through the current crisis. The relationships we strengthen now through mutually acceptable agreements will make the return to normal trading easier for all.”