Over 70% of population want government support for hospitality
Over 60% of people are concerned about the knock-on effects of pub closures on the local economy.
61% of people living in rural areas report a local pub closure compared to 50% in urban areas.
Research, released today as part of the DIGI’s Support Your Local campaign, reveals that over half closed (56%) of pubs in Ireland are reported to be temporarily or permanently as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
These prolonged pub closures have raised a number of concerns for those within local communities, with over 60% of people concerned about the knock-on effects of the restrictions on the local economy.
The research was commissioned by the DIGI and carried out by Core Research, which sampled 1,000 consumers for a national sample of those aged 18 or over.
According to the research, the main concerns surrounding the closure of pubs in local areas include:
§ the loss of jobs within the local community (78%)
§ the negative impact on supporting industries (75%)
§ the isolation and loneliness of elderly people within the community (67%)
§ the lack of support for musicians and the arts (67%).
Community impact
In addition to the economic concerns, people also notice significant changes to their local communities as a direct result of pub closures.
According to the research, almost six in 10 people (59%) visited their local pub at least once a month before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the government implemented restrictions on the opening of pubs, half (53%) feel that the vibrancy of the community has dampened with 50% also noting a decrease in the level of community spirit and morale among the community.
Supporting the industry
Over 70% of the Irish population now believe that the government needs to step in and provide support measures to save the drinks and hospitality industry.
Three-fifths of the population believe that local publicans will act responsibly and ensure that public health measures and guidelines are enforced correctly, while the vast majority (90%) say that they’re also taking personal responsibility for their health and safety by adhering to public health advice, suggesting that most will be compliant with all pub re-opening requirements.
“The prolonged closure of pubs in Ireland is not only having a negative effect on those who’re directly involved in the industry” commented Rosemary Garth, DIGI Chair and Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Irish Distillers, “it’s having widespread impact on local communities.
“This is truly devastating to see. According to our research, the vast majority of people in Ireland have noticed significant change to their local community, with a particular decline in community spirits and morale.
“The role of the pub in local communities has never been more prominent. It is only now, as many pubs remain shut or have closed permanently as a result of the lockdown, that people are recognising how important the industry is for local wellbeing, job creation and the broader economy.
“To ensure that pubs in local communities can not only re-open, but re-open with a fighting chance of recovery, the Government must not delay any longer.
“We must look to re-open the pubs immediately, putting meaningful supports in place to allow them to recover from the damage of the past six months.
“To help facilitate this, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland is calling on the government to introduce a 15% reduction in excise tax in Ireland, which currently poses a threat to both the short- and long-term viability of the drinks and hospitality sector.
“Without a reduction in excise tax levels for the sector, pubs, already indebted and at reduced capacity, will re-open with the second-highest rates in the EU. This will put them on an immediate backfoot and threaten more permanent closures,” she said.
