Protect our Pubs’ campaign to seek tangible support from new government to help a sector that will struggle

Abstract

More than 60% of pubs outside of Dublin remain closed. Campaign set to demonstrate the loss that would be felt should some pubs not reopen. Publican groups and drinks industry convene to seek VAT policy change to lessen the struggle for pubs, as reduced capacity and demand and zero tourism will leave some trading at a loss for the remainder of 2020 and early 2021. Cost of the temporary VAT reduction to 9% for on-licence serving of alcohol until end 2020 will be €143 million, according to a report by DCU Economist Tony Foley due to be published next week. Call for VAT reduction on on-trade alcohol is in line with the Minister for Finance’s ambition for measures in the July stimulus programme to have an 'immediate' impact and ‘genuinely have an effect’ in 2020. Measure would provide immediate impact and comes as tourism chief cites 'catastrophic' impact on tourism industry which is central to drinks and hospitality sector.