Nearly 30% fewer pubs in Offaly since 2005
A recently published report by the Drinks Industry of Ireland (DIGI) states that the pub industry in Offaly has taken a hammering since 2005.
Published during the autumn of 2022, the report said there were 29.9% less pubs in the county since a previous tally taken 17 years before.
Chairperson of Offaly VFI (Vintners' Federation of Ireland), Cllr John Clendennen, said the report makes for grim reading and it confirms for people what they already knew by simply looking around them. “The industry in the county has been going in the wrong direction for many years,” remarked the councillor. “A big problem is that consumer behaviour, people's attitude towards socialising, is changing.”
The DIGI report is called “The Irish Pub: Stopping the Decline”, and is based on DIGI's analysis of Revenue licence data. The report includes a statement by Dublin City University Associate Professor Emeritus and economist Anthony Foley.
According to the report 21.2% (1,829) of pubs closed in Ireland between 2005 and 2021; there's been a decrease in pubs in every county in Ireland, while 4.9% (349) of pubs closed during the pandemic period 2019 to 2021; Laois is the most affected reporting a 30.6% decline, while Meath suffered the least with just a 1.4% decline; Meath was followed by Dublin, reporting a decrease of only 4.3%; 23 counties had decreases in the number of pubs of greater than 10%; Tipperary saw a decrease of 26.3%.
All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers through the 16 year period.
Cllr Clendennen said Covid was a tough time to be in the pub trade. “The repetitive opening and closing pattern during the pandemic was stressful for people,” he remarked. “Unfortunately some pubs closed and never reopened.” He stressed that pubs are vital for the tourism industry. “Fáilte Ireland surveys show again and again that tourists coming to Ireland count visiting a pub as being one of the things they must do. Irish pubs are justly famous and tourists want to experience their famous atmosphere."
The councillor added, on a positive note, that the Local Link night-time bus service is a very welcome addition to people's lives in Offaly. “For example, in my own village of Kinnitty,” he pointed out, “people socialising in my pub can catch a bus as late as midnight. Local Link is a vital service for many, and pubs are as grateful for it as everyone.”
Cllr Clendennen was also keen to stress that many pubs have gone away from being solely drink focussed. “They have branched out into other offerings as well as alcohol, such as entertainment, food, sport. There's also been a big growth in the non-alcoholic drinks market.”
He said high energy costs are proving very challenging for publicans. “For example, our own pub has had to reduce the number of days of opening because of the high energy costs; we therefore don't open mid-week.” He said less people are coming to pubs “because they've made a lifestyle choice, or it could be a choice dictated by their financial circumstances.”
He added that another challenge for the industry is getting the current generation interested in entering the trade. “We need to see more young people coming into it. To be sure, it is a challenging environment but it can still be a very profitable and enjoyable profession.”
The councillor is also the incoming national President of the VFI, a role which he will take up in May, representing three and a half thousand members nationwide.
Economist Anthony Foley notes that public houses contribute to the culture and vibrancy of villages, small towns and rural areas in many ways. “They contribute to tourism and provide an extensive network of physical facilities and services needed by tourists and locals,” he points out. He cites concerns for the impact of the decline on rural Ireland, when taken in the context of wider challenges facing areas outside Dublin. “When you consider decreases in the number of post offices, full bank branches, Garda stations, local retail enterprises and a wide range of other services and facilities, there are concerns about the commercial capability of small towns and villages with large levels of commercial building vacancy. There is likely to be a negative social impact arising from the trend and extent of closures, especially in rural and remote areas in Ireland. There are a number of reasons for the decline including non-replacement of pub operators on retirement or death, low levels of business volume and economic sustainability, regulatory changes such as tighter drink driving laws and enforcement allied with weak or non-existent public transport and population change and distribution, among others.
“There is likely to be a negative social impact arising from the closure of the 1,829 public houses between 2005 and 2021. Pubs serve as a vital social outlet for many people, particularly in rural Ireland. With people living there faced by the spectre of rural decline, preserving the cultural heritage of the Irish pub in Ireland is arguably a progressive course of action. Economic and business sustainability is one of the several determining factors of closures of small public houses. Addressing high excise would have a positive effect on the commercial sustainability of small public houses and would be a strong element in the wider policy strategy to support rural areas. It is a measure which is completely within the scope of the Government.”
Paul Clancy, DIGI member and CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, described the report as “alarming. 1,829 rural pub closures represent businesses that provide jobs, a hub in the local community for socialising and community integration and a cultural centre which has long been documented as among the main attractions for tourists visiting Ireland. The pace of decline increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the drinks and hospitality industry suffer the worst of all, with one of the longest lockdowns recorded globally.
“Considering this sharp decline and trend we’re witnessing, we need to monitor this industry carefully and ensure all the necessary supports are in place to contribute to stopping this trend. Our high alcohol excise tax is a cost and slows the growth of these businesses and impacts their day-to-day operations and bottom line. Exasperated currently with inflation and the cost of living. We are calling on the Government to reduce excise tax to support the industry with meaningful measures that will be felt immediately and reduce costs over night for tens of thousands of business owners.”