Located down in Swinford, Co Mayo, Mellett’s Emporium is one of the oldest bars in Ireland. Established way back in 1797, it’s as popular with locals as it is with foreign and domestic tourists visiting the area.
Times are tough for the olde world bar as of late though, and understandably so. An extremely difficult time for people all across the globe, those that work in the hospitality industry have particularly suffered at the hands of Covid-19. Faced with the news that their reopening would be postponed yet again, staff at Mellet’s Emporium have said that the current situation is taking its toll and catching up with them.
Calling for government support, the team posted a heartfelt message on Twitter yesterday evening. It reads:
“The mental, physical and financial stress of not knowing when we can go back to work, or if the PUP will be cut on 17th Sept as planned, is really taking its toll today. We need reassurance and support.”
Tagging a number of different high profile figureheads in the Tweet, the team directed the message at An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar amongst others.
Fellow publican Pat Crotty responded to the above message, weighing in on the matter and commenting:
“They ‘recognize’ that hospitality is hardest hit and it seems to be almost the only sector hit again in LOK lockdown. So when or where is the sector specific support?”
A joint statement from the two Vintners organisations released earlier today, has said that they are not optimistic that pubs will be allowed to reopen at the end of the month – commenting that there is “growing scepticism across the industry” and calling for the introduction of a ‘pub support package’ to provide direct financial aid to all closed pubs.
Header image via Facebook/Mellett’s Emporium
