A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), has shown a continuing decline in the number of pubs across Ireland, with the rate of decline accelerating since Covid-19.
There have been almost 2,000 pub closures across Ireland since 2005.
Laois has seen 47 pubs closed their doors in the county, with 12 of these closures since 2019.
DIGI says this decrease sparks concern about the future sustainability of many other businesses in the industry.
The decline has reached an alarming rate of 22.5%, with an average of 114 pub closures per year, rising to 152 per year since 2019.
Over 450 pubs nationally have closed in the period since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic with the greatest decreases seen in more rural parts of the country.
The largest decrease was seen in Limerick, with 32% less pubs in the county since 2005.
Laois is a worrying 4th on the list with a 29.9% decrease, just behind Roscommon and Cork.
A further eight counties all show a closure rate of more than 25%, including neighbouring counties Offaly (28.7%) and Tipperary (28.6%).
These figures are actually an improvement on figures released last year, which showed Laois had the highest number of pubs closing their door’s in the entire country (30.6%).
“While public houses play a particularly important role in contributing to the communities in Ireland’s towns, villages and rural areas, smaller local markets and populations mean many pubs in regional counties operate on tight margins marking them more at-risk of closure,” economist, Anthony Foley said.
Kathryn D’Arcy, Chair of DIGI and Communications and Corporate Affairs Director at Irish Distillers said:
“The analysis in this report paints a stark picture of a sector that is fighting against continued decline due to a number of significant external pressures – many of which are outside of our control.
“Ireland’s excise on spirits is the third highest in Europe, our excise on wine is the highest in Europe and our excise on beer is the second highest in Europe.
“We have some of the highest excise duties in the world and the second highest in Europe overall, despite the industry being at the heart of Ireland’s tourism sector and its international reputation as a vibrant destination.
“We must create a sustainable operating environment for the sector and particularly those in more rural parts of the country who are being disproportionately impacted by Government policy.”
The sector is calling on the Government to ease the cost burden on regional small and family-run businesses, “to ensure their sustainability by reducing Ireland’s high alcohol excise tax over the next two years.”
SEE ALSO – Electric Picnic set to take place two weeks earlier in 2024
