At the time the smoking ban was introduced the government
and then minister for health claimed the ban would lead to an increase in trade. Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern made the appalling claim that ''decent people would return to the pubs''. The
total opposite has proved to be the case with patrons deserting bars in droves resulting
in a huge downturn in trade and subsequent job losses and pub closures. In 2005 VFI
president Seamus O' Donoghue revealed that 200 pubs outside Dublin had closed and ceased
trading in the Republic of Ireland since the imposition of the smoking ban. That number
has increased further as customers frequent bars less and less.
The Irish economy in the two years since the smoking ban
was imposed has boomed and grown by over 10%. The hospitality trade in normal
circumstances could also have expected unprecedented growth creating thousands of jobs in
a vibrant industry. However the opposite has happened with thousands of jobs lost as the
trade struggles to attract customers to premises bereft of atmosphere. Not only are
smokers visiting bars less or not at all, but so too are their non smoking friends.
VFI president Seamus O' Donoghue who's organisation
represents county publicans outside the Dublin metropolitan area has appealed in light of
the devastating impact the ban has had for more flexibility in its implementation. He has
pleaded for compromise saying " We recognise that the smoking ban is here and is
here to stay and we are not asking for it to be rescinded. However we firmly believe that
there is room for compromise."
Mid-week and day time trade has been particularly badly
hit. Publicans have been forced to drastically reduce staff numbers in an effort to
maintain profitability and have reduced opening hours or simply closed altogether. Part
time staff have replaced full time employees as managers struggle to justify staff numbers
in empty or half empty pubs.
Publicans who have put their businesses for sale have found
no interest in the market for them as 'going concerns'. Bars now only realise their
property value as past retail performance counts for little. This has been a bitter pill
to swallow for publicans many of whom have put a lifetimes effort into building up once
thriving businesses. One publican commented "Unless something is done about the
smoking ban the only place you will soon find traditional Irish bars will be in foreign
countries"
Do you know of a bar in your area that has
ceased trading, reduced opening hours or partially closed ?
if so please contact us with the details
office@sadireland.com
