A year of lockdowns: the publicans’ plight

John Cleary, Walsh’s Bar, Mitchelstown - ‘it’s going to be a very different environment’ on reopening. (Pic: KH-d)

On Tuesday last, March 23, the Licenced Vintners Association (LVA) appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht where they pressed the need for all hospitality to open together.

Over a year on from the initial shutdown on March 15, 2020 the hospitality sector remains one of the hardest-hit industries.

Now, the LVA is calling on the Government to publicly communicate the circumstances that must apply to allow the full reopening of the hospitality sector and the trading environment post reopening.

The Avondhu spoke this week to several publicans from across its catchment, to gauge their thoughts on what a resumption of business might mean – whenever clearance is given by government.

Coverage in this week’s Print & Digital Edition