Kilkenny publican voices concern as report reveals scale of pub closures

A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows a continuing decline in the number of pubs in Kilkenny and across Ireland.

In Kilkenny, 49 pubs have closed since 2005, according to the report - representing a 21.7% decrease in public houses between the years 2005 and 2023.

Anthony Morrison, Chairman of Kilkenny City and County Vintner Federation told Kilkenny Live that the current challenges facing the industry are wide-ranging, and in many cases worsening.

“The cost of doing business in general is very high at the minute,” he said.

“Meanwhile, excise duty on wine, beer, spirits and cider continues to undermine any recovery in the sector while the cost of public liability insurance is causing havoc for publicans across the country.

“Add to this commercial and water rates, as well as other regulatory impositions.

“What’s unfortunate here is that these costs are hampering the progress of small business owners and publicans across Ireland.

“Our level of hard work, energy, commitment and innovation needs to be recognised and supported.

“We are the heart and soul of local communities. In many instances, we are the ‘last man standing’ in villages and towns stripped of post offices, bank branches and garda stations. This is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. We know people depend on us and it is our duty to be there for them.”

Morrison is calling on the Government to introduce supports for publicans, who he says ‘are vital to the very identity of Ireland’.

“We don’t want to start seeing international news stories being shared about how Ireland’s pub culture is collapsing. It’s so vital for tourism too, which brings in so much revenue for the Government, so we hope they start acknowledging the urgency of the situation facing local publicans at present both here in Kilkenny and across Ireland.”

Author of the report, Professor Tony Foley said ‘this analysis verifies the consistent trend we have been seeing with pub numbers in every part of the country’.

“There is clearly a variation on closures between counties which broadly sees rural areas adversely impacted,” he said.

“The continuing decline is taking place against a backdrop of societal change and cost of business strains.

“Consumption of alcohol has notably decreased, how we socialise is changing, the types of drinks we consume are changing, particularly the rise of low-alcohol and alcohol-free products.

“We are also seeing that with many pubs, which are often small, family-run businesses, sustaining business is becoming harder and harder.

“Fostering commercial sustainability is crucial to safeguarding rural Irish pubs. Ireland’s drinks and hospitality businesses are operating in an environment where the costs of doing business are ever rising.

“Energy, insurance, and other cost line items continue to rise, many by double digits. The sector is also faced with one of the most regressive excise tax environments for small and medium enterprises in Europe.”

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