The Restaurants Association of Ireland has pushed for clarity on reopening dates as half of restaurants in Ireland face permanent closure due to pandemic.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), the representative body for Irish pubs and restaurants, has stated that half of restaurants in Ireland face permanent closure due to pandemic.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on businesses across Ireland, with the hospitality industry being one of the hardest hit.
With no clear dates for when pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen, fears that half of restaurants in Ireland face permanent closure loom ahead.
A devastating year for hospitality – fears for the future
At the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism meeting today, the RAI will call for the VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9%, which was introduced late last year, to remain in place until 2025.
They will also demand that the waiver on commercial rates paid to local authorities remain in place until the end of 2021.
There are also calls from many pub and restaurant owners for the Government to provide a clear roadmap out of the current lockdown, with many asking the distinction between premises that serve food and so-called “wet pubs” be scrapped.
A roadmap out of lockdown – calls for more support
The next date for any easing of restrictions is set for 5 April, but Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested last month that pubs and restaurants may not be able to welcome customers until mid-summer.
With no clear dates for when they can reopen, many fear that half of restaurants in Ireland face permanent closure before summer.
RAI CEO Adrian Cummins will reportedly tell members of the Joint Committee on Tourism that existing supports for pub and restaurants “do not go far enough” and urge that the current Covid Recovery Support Scheme must be extended to include Level 3 restrictions.
Requests from the Irish Hotels Federation – support for a devastated industry
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) will reportedly tell the committee that banks should be allowed to suspend repayment of loans and that those employed in the hotel industry should be permitted to defer mortgage payments.
Revenue across the Irish hotel sector dropped by over €2.5 billion, or 60%, last year, according to the IHF. With no clear plans on when tourism can resume, business for the industry is set to be challenging for the foreseeable future.
So, with mounting fears among the hospitality industry as lockdowns reach a one-year anniversary, as half of restaurants in Ireland face permanent closure, many hope that today’s meeting will provide some clarity for moving forward.
