Almost 3,500 pubs are due to reopen in the coming weeks, however, owners have made urgent calls for new guidelines to be published ahead of time.
Several businesses in the hospitality industry have reopened their doors to the public in recent weeks with pubs due to follow suit later this month. Approximately 3,438 pubs are expected to reopen on July 20th, however, owners have said that government guidelines must be published immediately so staff can ensure that the proper measures are in place ahead of time.
Making urgent calls for July 20th guidelines to be published, the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) reports that many pubs are still in the dark when it comes to what they will be required to do upon reopening. Just days away from welcoming the public back inside, Mayo publican Marie Mellett has said that the delay is hampering preparations.
Also proving to be a source of anxiety for rural communities – many of which rely on the local pub as the only public gathering spot/hospitality venue in the area – Galway publican Joe Sheridan commented:
“I’m completely in the dark about how we should prepare the pub for reopening. The guidelines are critically important for publicans who urgently need information about what work needs to be completed before we open.
“I also have staff wanting to know if they will be going back to work. The current situation is ludicrous and completely unfair to thousands of bar staff around the country and the local communities they serve. For most rural areas, the pub is far more than a place to have a drink, it’s where local communities come together. This delay is placing so much of our local life in jeopardy and leaves many villages without lights.”
Co Cork boasts the largest number of unopened pubs with 473 venues still to open, closely followed by Galway (273), Tipperary (223), Kerry (221), Mayo (Mayo 218) and Donegal (180).
Header image via Shutterstock
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