Diageo serves up £13m support package for pubs

THE maker of Guinness has pledged nearly £13million in support to publicans across the island of Ireland in an effort to get people back into boozers again.

Diageo’s Raising The Bar programme will provide practical equipment and confidence-building measures needed for outlets to reopen and operate in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The move follows a consultation with bar owners around the world to identify what they needed after lockdown.

Their top priorities include hygiene measures, digital support and practical equipment to ensure both customers and staff operate on a safe and sustainable basis.

Oliver Loomes, managing director of Diageo Ireland, said: “The hospitality sector in Ireland requires long-term investment and support to get back up and running. Not only has the financial impact to their business been significant but they have missed their place at the centre of Ireland’s social fabric.

“Our ambition is to support pubs in Ireland in welcoming back customers in the safest possible way, when they are ready to do so.

“Guinness will consult with the on-trade as to how best to direct future funding over the two-year period.”

The support is part of a $100million package to help the recovery of major hospitality centres around the world.

The scheme will cover publicans in New York, London, Edinburgh, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Sydney.