Reopening will present big challenges for publicans
THE Vice- Chairperson of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Tom Dunbar, has said publicans will face many challenges as they open either this week or in two weeks time, on July 20.
Mr Dunbar, who operates a well known pub in Ferns, plans to reopen his business on July 20 and said it wouldn’t have been feasible for him to offer a food menu to enable him to open earlier.
The vast majority of pubs in the Enniscorthy area are primarily what Mr Dunbar referred to as ‘wet pubs’ only.
He is also concerned about the fact that guidelines on how pubs that don’t offer food will be allowed reopen have not yet been published.
‘We are supposed to get new guidelines for wet pubs and when you do get the guidelines it seems to be last minute,’ he said.
Mr Dunbar said that because of the regulations there are additional costs involved for many businesses to get up-and-running again.
He said it wouldn’t be surprising if some businesses don’t open up again.
As with any business that involves the public entering the premises a very strong emphasis will be placed on a sanitation and Mr Dunbar said pubs will be opening to ‘a new style of doing things’.
‘I think it will remain that way until there is a vaccine found,’ he said.
‘It’s important to give customers peace of mind and for them to know they are in a safe and secure place,’ he said.
‘I suppose that will be one of the challenges for all of us,’ he added.
Mr Dunbar wished all of the businesses opening this week the best of luck and he said everyone involved with his business is fully committed to reopening on July 20.
‘I just think we all have to be careful because if something goes wrong over the next week or two and our opening date is pushed back that would be bad,’ he said.
‘I am getting ready to open up on July 20.’