Publicans like many businesses worried about new normal

CURRENTLY most publicans in Dundalk, and in fact throughout the country, are struggling with the problem of how they can safely re-open their premises to comply with the regulations on social distancing.

For those with the facility to serve food they can open their premises first, but all are greatly concerned that they will be able to provide a safe environment for their customers.

In recent weeks it has been a frequent sight to see publicans with measuring tapes in their hands to determine how many customers they can accommodate in their premises at the same time.

Clearly the two metre distance is a major factor and if that is reduced to one metre, then it will obviously be a help to some.

All of this feeds into the thinking of many publicans who are asking if it is worth their while putting themselves through the difficult and costly task of renovating the interior of their premises to comply with the regulations.

At the back of their minds too is the worry that fewer people will want to visit their local on a regular basis because of fear of picking up the virus, or perhaps that having broken the habit of regularly visiting the pub, they will be content to stay at home with the few cans purchased from the supermarket.

With fewer customers, publicans will be unable to afford the high monthly cost of taking live sports broadcasts, causing even more customers to stay away.

All of this is extremely worrying for the licensed trade and there is little doubt that many of the sixty or so pubs in Dundalk will not open any times soon.

That prospect will be welcomed by some, but not the majority, for our pubs are part of the fabric of our society and play a very important role in providing an outlet, perhaps their only outlet, for some, especially elderly men.

Finding solutions to the difficulties facing publicans is not easy, and it may well be that a vaccine is readily available against COVID-19 it may not be economically viable for a number of our pubs to re-open.

If, and when that happens, it may be too late for some, for this dreaded disease has left an imprint on our way of life that may never be rekindled.