Latest news with #DrinksIndustryGroupofIreland
Irish Post
15 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Two pubs closing each week in Ireland
OVER 2000 pubs have closed in Ireland in the last twenty years, according to a new report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI). The study, by economist and DCU associate professor Anthony Foley, paints a bleak picture for the future of Irish pubs, especially in rural areas. From 2005 to 2024, the number of licensed pubs in Ireland dropped from 8,617 to 6,498, amounting to a decline of more than 25%. While closures have been widespread across all 26 counties, rural areas have been hit hardest. Counties like Limerick, Offaly, and Cork experienced the steepest drops, with decreases of 37%, 34%, and 32%, respectively. Meanwhile, Dublin saw the smallest decline at just 1.7%. The report underscores a troubling trend: the erosion of pubs in rural communities, where they often act as much more than just a place to drink. 'There has been a pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland, in recent years,' said Professor Foley in the report. These pubs are frequently the heart of their communities, offering a vital social and cultural hub as well as a key attraction for tourism. According to DIGI Secretary Donall O'Keeffe, the primary reason behind these closures is the high costs imposed by the state, including taxes and regulatory burdens. Ireland currently has the second-highest tax rate on alcohol in the European Union, alongside a 23% VAT rate. These costs, coupled with rising operating expenses and falling rural populations, are making it harder for family-owned pubs to stay afloat. 'The addition of profound economic uncertainty through US trade tariffs and reduced levels of inbound tourism further threaten the financial foundations of family-owned pubs across the country,' said Foley. DIGI is calling for a 10% cut in excise duty in the upcoming budget to help ease the financial burden on pub owners. 'With Irish consumption of alcohol having fallen to average EU levels and likely to continue dropping, it is no longer justifiable that pubs should be faced with the second-highest excise rates in Europe,' said O'Keeffe. The report projects that between 600 and 1,000 more pubs could close over the next decade if nothing changes. See More: Anthony Foley, DIGI, Donall O'Keefe, Irish Pubs
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Revealed: This is how many Irish pubs closed in the last 20 years
Over a quarter of Irish pubs have closed their doors since 2005, according to a report by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI). The research found that from 2005 to 2024, the number of publican licenses went from 8,617 to 6,498, with over 2,100 pubs having closed in total. DIGI has predicted up to 1,000 pubs to potentially close in the next 10 years. 'We are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade,' said the report's author, Professor Foley. 'The addition of profound economic uncertainty through US trade tariffs and reduced levels of inbound tourism further threatens the financial foundations of family-owned pubs across the country.' The report, along with Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Anthony Foley, has found that an average of 112 pubs have stopped trading each year. The largest rate of closure was in rural countries, with the highest decreases at 37.2% in Co. Limerick, followed by 34.1% in Co. Offaly and 32.7% in Co. Cork. Limerick has experienced pub numbers dropping from 478 to 300 since 2005. The lowest decrease was in Co. Dublin at 1.7%, followed by 9.5% in Co. Meath and 10.8% in Co. Wicklow. DIGI secretary Donall O'Keefe has called on the government to cut excise duty by 10% in the upcoming budget, stating that the Irish consumption of alcohol has fallen to average EU levels, meaning there is no justification for the high rate. 'With Irish consumption of alcohol having fallen to average EU levels, and likely to continue dropping, it is no longer justifiable that pubs should be faced with the second-highest excise rates in Europe,' he said.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Ireland has lost a quarter of its pubs since 2005
OVER 2100 PUBS – or 24.6% of public houses in Ireland – have closed since 2005, a new report has found. It comes as research indicated a further 1,000 pubs could close over the coming decade. The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland's report shows a continuing decline of the number of publican licenses and the amount of pubs closing its doors. Between 2005 and 2024, the number of publican licenses went from 8,617 to 6,498. The report, compiled by Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Anthony Foley, shows that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year, with a further 600 to 1,000 closures estimated over the next decade. The average number of pub closures per year rose to 128 when measuring between 2019 and 2024. Advertisement Rural counties had the highest rates of closure. Limerick, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Laois, Longford, and Mayo all recorded closure rates of over 30% in the time period measured. Limerick had the largest amount of pubs close their doors. Over 37% of pubs in the county ceased business over the 19 years accounted for, Having had 478 pubs in 2005, it now has 300. The lowest decrease was in Dublin with a drop of -1.7%, going from 786 pubs in 2005 to 773. Meath had a decrease of -9.5%. Wicklow had a decrease of 10.8% and all other counties saw a 13% or greater decrease. According to DIGI, the high cost of doing of business was a major contributory factor to the alarming rate of closures recorded by the report. It said that without immediate action by the Government, 'many villages and small towns will soon lose their last remaining pub which would deal a devastating blow to the economic and social fabric of that community.' Commenting on the report, author Professor Tony Foley said that the addition of 'profound economic uncertainty through US trade tariffs' and reduced levels of tourism 'further threaten the financial conditions of family-owned pubs across the country. 'In the absence of government intervention, we are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade.' DIGI secretary Donall O'Keeffe said that the government should cut the excise rate in the upcoming budget, saying that the Irish consumption of alcohol has fallen to average EU levels and there is no justification for the high rate. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Inside Ireland's pub industry's devastating decline as 2,100 boozers pull final pints amid VAT rate ‘act now' cut call
OVER 2,100 pubs have shut their doors permanently in the past 20 years, according to a shock new report. One in four have closed down since 2005 as the 2 Professor Anthony Foley found that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year The study, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, found that a massive 2,119 have pulled their final pints in that period. Compiled by Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Professor Anthony Foley, the research found that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year, with a further 600 to 1,000 closures estimated over the next decade. All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers between 2005 and 2024. The highest decrease was in Limerick, which has seen the numbers fall by 37.2 per cent, followed by READ MORE IN MONEY The lowest decrease was in DIGI said the high cost of doing business was a major factor to the alarming rate of closures recorded by the report. The group pleaded with the Government for help, warning that many villages and small towns will lose their remaining pubs, dealing a 'devastating blow to the economic and social fabric of that community'. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN DIGI has urged the policy makers to use the upcoming Budget to introduce a 10 per cent cut in excise, which currently stands as the second highest in the Locals Heartbroken as Auchenmalg's Only Pub, The Cock Inn, Closes Down Commenting on the report, Professor Foley said: 'This report reveals a pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland in recent years. 'The addition of profound economic uncertainty through 'In the absence of government intervention, we are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade.' 'ACT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE' DIGI secretary Donall O'Keeffe, who is also the CEO of the Licensed Vintner's Federation warned that the high VAT was also crippling pubs and urged the Government to act now. He said: 'More than 100 pubs are closing every year in Ireland, due in large part to the high costs imposed by the State. 'Without immediate intervention, up to 1,000 more pubs will close for the last time, leaving their communities without a vital community and tourism hub. Once closed, such pubs rarely re-open. 'The Government could improve commercial viability overnight by cutting excise by 10 per cent. "With Irish consumption of alcohol having fallen to average 'This is on top of a hefty 23 per cent VAT rate. The time for the Government to act is now before it is too late.' 2 All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers between 2005 and 2024 Credit: Getty
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
One in four pubs have closed since 2005, with further 1,000 at risk in next decade
More than 2,000 pubs have closed since 2005, with 1,000 further establishments expected to close over the next decade as part of a 'pattern of pub closures', a new report has found. A total of 2,119 pubs have shuttered their doors in 20 years, amounting to one in every four Irish pubs, a report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has found. Based on data of the register of alcohol licences compiled by the Revenue Commissioners ,in 2005-2024 the number of publican licenses fell by 24.6 per cent from 8,617 to 6,498. The report was compiled by DCU economist and associate professor, Anthony Foley, who noted the figures show a 'pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland in recent years'. READ MORE 'The addition of profound economic uncertainty through US trade tariffs and reduced levels of inbound tourism further threaten the financial foundations of family-owned pubs across the country,' he said. 'In the absence of Government intervention, we are likely to see a further 600-1,000 pubs close over the coming decade.' An average of 112 pubs closed every year across the period, with all Irish counties recording a decrease. Dublin saw the fewest pubs close, losing just 1.7 per cent of its public houses. Meath lost 9.5 per cent of its pubs, with Wicklow losing nearly 11 per cent. Limerick had the biggest drop at 37 per cent, with Offaly at 34 per cent and Cork at 32 per cent. Roscommon lost 32 per cent, Tipperary was down 32 per cent, with Laois, Longford and Westmeath seeing more than 30 per cent of its pubs close. DIGI secretary Donall O'Keeffe noted that the closures were 'due in large part to the high costs imposed by the State' and that 'once closed, such pubs rarely reopen'. Mr O'Keeffe called on the Government to act 'now, before it is too late' and to 'improve commercial viability overnight by cutting excise by 10 per cent'.
