Kilcullen pubs say #SupportNotSympathy

Kilcullen's non-food pubs have joined in a national call to be treated fairly in terms of reopening, marking five months since their businesses closed because of coronavirus restrictions, writes Brian Byrne.

The initiative is also supported by local pub-restaurants, which had previously been open but are closed since the new restrictions in Kildare.

The effort under the #SupportNotSympathy tag and with the backing of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, seeks a 'meaningful' support package for all pubs who are being asked to stay closed due to the public health requirements.

"We're asking the government to trust us to open our pub," say Mary and Mick Masterson of McTernans, "and welcome all our customers/friends into our safe and friendly environment."

READ: Government 'has split the pub industry' - Tommy Dignam. 

All day today, the VFI has been posting pictures of closed pubs from around the country, on its Facebook page.

The VFI notes that The Re-start Grant Plus scheme is being provided by the Government to all business sectors, including hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes, hotels as well as pubs who serve food.

“Pubs want the opportunity to trade responsibly,” says Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive of the VFI. “The pubs that are still closed can’t wait to get their doors open again, to interact with their customers and to earn a living. These businesses will abide by the public health requirements, they just want the same chance as was granted to the rest of the economy.

“The clear preference of pubs is to reopen, but if the Government won’t let them then they owe these pubs special support. They are being denied their right to trade due to the public health situation and they should receive meaningful assistance for as long as that continues. It is also critical that should there be any further delays to reopening that the Government simultaneously announces a support package. The survival of these businesses depends on it."

Saying that ordinary pubs 'have been left in the lurch', Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, says few in the industry expect they will be allowed to reopen at the end of the month. A Pub Support Package would remove the income uncertainty which is currently leaving these pubs at breaking point. "As the Government has ring-fenced these pubs from the rest of the economy, it’s time they ring-fenced specific support for closed pubs too,” he says.


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