This article is from page 18 of the 2013-02-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
PUBS in Ennis and throughout Clare are facing a struggle for survival, the Chairman of the Ennis branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) has warned.
Local publican Charlie O’Meara said the trade has taken a battering in the recession with turnover in some premises down 50 per cent to 60 per cent.
He said the closure of pubs in the town over the past five years has served as a blow to the local economy.
“It’s terrible to see some of the flagship pubs in the town that have gone. I was walking around the town today and to see the amount of businesses lying idle is shocking. We need that bit of continuity in businesses. It’s terrible to see new businesses opening and closing every six months,” he said.
Mr O’Meara, who now leases Moroney’s after 15 years running The Usual Place, said pubs are under enormous pressure to survive.
He explained, “Turnover is down 50 to 60 per cent but publicans are still paying the same amount out in overheads.”
He added, “I don’t think our TDs realise the pressure pubs are under. If any other industry had the rug pulled from under them like the pub trade, they would be petitioning the Government. The farmers certainly wouldn’t be quiet about it. There are an awful lot of pubs out there in trouble at the moment. They’re just hanging in there.”
Mr O’Meara said the reputation of the pub trade has also suffered in recent years.
“Certainly the pub industry has suffered a lot of negative publicity in recent years but people forget the amount of employment that pubs have provided, particularly for young people. Pubs were always a great source of part-time employment for students at college.”
He added, “We as an industry have made submissions to TDs but I don’t think they realise the pressure we are under.”
Mr O’Meara said, “The whole culture has changed. It’s more a foodbased industry now. Businesses have to adapt but I think we’re seeing the end of the traditional Irish pub.”