Tipperary pubs require urgent and substantive energy supports in the light of new research which shows more than four in ten Irish adults plan fewer visits to pubs for the remainder of 2022, due to cost of living pressures.
The CEO of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland CEO, Paul Clancy, says pubs cannot pass on increases to customers already under financial strain.
The survey, carried out across Ireland and the UK last month, found that 42% of Irish adults plan to visit pubs far less often between now and New Year’s Eve.
The VFI represents 4,000 pubs and says it is vital that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe provides urgent and substantive energy supports to the pub trade in Budget 2023.
On a positive note the survey also found that despite pressures on disposable income, the hospitality industry remains a vital part of consumers’ lives, with 69% agreeing that eating or drinking out it is the treat they most look forward to, with 80% stating satisfaction with the quality of the product and service on offer.
The sector has seen reduced footfall, coupled with an unprecedented rise in energy costs and now fears the permanent closure of many more pubs. A report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland earlier this year revealed that 1,829 pubs have closed between 2005 and 2021. This represents a 21% decline in the sector. In county Tipperary, 138 pubs closed during the same period representing 26% of the Premier county pub trade.
