Publicans say the delay in reopening pubs is a ‘hammer blow’.
Pubs not serving food must now stay shut until August 10th.
That’s after the government decided to delay Phase Four of the Covid reopening process due to an increase in the reproductive rate of the virus.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland is calling for grants of up to 50,000 euro per pub and a reduction in VAT on alcohol due to the delayed reopening.
Drumkeeran in County Leitrim is just one town that still has no bars or pubs currently operating.
Geraldine Wynne is the proprietor of Wynnes’ Market Bar in the town; it was recently featured in an Ant & Dec TV Show.
Geraldine told Ocean FM reporter John Lynch the decision to keep bars that don’t serve food closed until August is a major blow, both to the local area and the businesses themselves.
