TABLE SERVICE
Half of pubs around the country will remain closed
requests on Facebook were unprecedented but with the social distancing measures they can only seat 36 customers at any one time.
He added: “Unlike other pubs, we’re not charging a deposit and are prioritising our regulars who have been supporting us for years.”
Last night it emerged around 450 pubs in the capital are expected to open their doors tomorrow.
Dublin Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon launched a campaign urging consumers to “take it easy”, with restaurants, gyms and hair salons also reopening. But the public is being urged to adhere to social distancing, wear masks if necessary and expect public transport to be limited.
However, almost half of pubs across the country will remain shut.
On July 20 “wet pubs” that don’t have to sell food can reopen under phase four of the Government plan.
Benny Mccabe is not reopening his Cork City pubs until then as he feels it is unfair on his elderly customers to have to purchase on food.
Mr Mccabe, who owns Crane Lane, Mutton Lane, The Oval and Sin E among others, said the 105-minute limit being placed on customers is “crazy”. He added: “We have a lot of elderly customers and the
that you can go to a cafe and have a bowl of soup and a tea for a fiver but then they have to pay €9 is absolutely crazy. “They can’t afford it and they are not up dancing on tables at 11am. They are reading the paper. If we wanted to
Brian Foley sell drink we would be in the supermarket business, we are publicans and there is a complete and utter difference. It’s a vocation.
“There’s a moral issue over the €9 and I think the 105 minutes is making it like the drinking Olympics, I think it’s crazy.” Brian Foley from the Vintidea ners Association of Ireland said some publicans will remain closed as they don’t want to charge regulars for grub.
He added: “They don’t want to be put in the awkward position where a regular comes in and they have to refuse them [due to meal restrictions] so they are choosing to remain closed.”
Licensed Vintners Association chief Donal O’keefe said they are calling on the Government to issue guidelines next week for “wet only” pubs before they reopen.
He added: “We think about 50% to 65% of the pubs in Dublin will reopen tomorrow. 0Some are taking the view the restrictions are too onerous and they are just going to sit back and wait until July 20.”
They don’t want to be in the position of having to refuse customers because of food BRIAN FOLEY ON WHY SOME PUBLICANS WILL STAY CLOSED
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