Restaurantspleadfor actiononlandlords

THE Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has urged the government to “take decisive action and force landlords to slash rent” during the COVID-19 crisis, adding that landlords “need to take some pain” if the hospitality industry is to survive.

“You are going to have a domino fall of businesses that can’t pay their rent, that won’t be able to open, and I can’t see 90 per cent of restaurants opening up on June 29 unless drastic action is taken,” said RAI CEO Adrian Cummins.

“Landlords are issuing 21-day notices and putting severe pressure on highly stressed businesses, and landlords are pushing for rent to be paid when businesses can’t afford it.”