Publicans’ fury at temporary bar plan for Christmas in Limerick

PUBLICANS have reacted with fury at plans to open a temporary outdoor bar at Christmas – in competition to their own licensed establishments.

It comes as opposition to the proposal to close vehicular access to The Crescent, at the top of O’Connell Street in the city centre grows, with more than 400 people making their views known to council.

Limerick Chamber has said seven out of every 10 of its members asked about the plan did not support the six-week closure of the Crescent. The business group has warned of a “significant breakdown” from some members in its relationship with Limerick City and County Council.

A six-week closure of The Crescent would be to facilitate a continental Christmas fayre. Councillors have been briefed that a licensed bar with a seating area would be at its heart.

But the move has sparked anger from the Limerick City branch of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), the main trade body for publicans.

Eamonn O’Rahilly, city branch chairperson, said: “We feel there are a sufficient amount of pubs in the area which can deal with the extra footfall and provide all the ancillaries which go with it, like security, toilet facilities, safety and public liability.

“If there was a public bar on the street where there are no other pubs, you could understand it. But this is right in the middle of where WJ South’s, Sexton’s and others are trying to conduct their business,” he added.

It’s widely acknowledged that pubs experience an increase in trade at Christmas.

Mr O’Rahilly added that “it seems counter-intuitive to bring in an extra bar” when pubs are struggling.

“There’s already established premises there that can deal with the extra footfall, especially given the rates we are paying,” added Mr O’Rahilly.

At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, the issue of who was running the proposed bar was broached - Madigans.

It sparked upset, given the fact this hospitality firm is not based in Limerick, with Cllr Maria Donoghue saying businesses in her street “felt I had let them down” by this.

Council official Sean Lenihan said the group charged with organising the event, Big Boss Events, spoke with members of the VFI from Limerick, and added: “I don’t think there was an entity here that could do everything we need.”

Mr Lenihan added Big Boss invited companies to apply to operate the bar, as is normal for publicly funded contracts, and Madigan won based on this. Council insists no final decisions have been made as regards its Christmas programming, and submissions received “will help inform the decision-making process”.

"Elected metropolitan district members will make the final determination on proposals brought before them,” a spokesperson said.

Chamber policy director Sean Golden wrote in his group’s submission submission on the road closure that most of the feedback it received “strongly opposes” it.

"Even among members who support events and public realm activation in principle, there is deep concern regarding the duration, timing and location of this particular proposal,” he added.

The last time The Crescent was closed, for the month of August, he argued that “delivery was poor”.

"The same risk cannot be taken for the Christmas period. Once established, that perception will encourage customers to choose competing locations where access and parking appear more straightforward,” wrote Mr Golden, who suggested the Christmas market be moved to a pedestrianised street or civic location. "These are not objections to Christmas events or city centre activation. They are practical, commercial and operational concerns raised by businesses that open throughout the year, employ people in the city and contribute through rates."

Meanwhile, the local authority has been accused by Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler of an “embarrassing and amateurish” Christmas advert which appeared online.

At the weekend, an advert for the festive season in the city was posted to social media, which appeared to have used artificial intelligence (AI), sparking a backlash from other metropolitan district members this week. 

Mr Lenihan promised that next year real footage will be used, admitting using AI was “not our best decision”.