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8% of Waterford pubs closed permanently over pandemic years

8% of Waterford pubs closed permanently over pandemic years
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8% of pubs across Waterford closed permanently during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

That's according to a new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, which shows a decline in every county.

Since 2005, the number of pubs in the Déise decreased by almost a fifth, at 24%.

In 2005, there were 260 pubs here but that fell to 199 by the end of 2021.

Pandemic years

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When looking at the pandemic years, 17 closed their doors permanently.

Nationally, 1,829 licenced premises have closed in the last 16 years - a decrease of 21% since 2005 - with almost 350 closing during the pandemic.

Publicans are calling for excise duty to be cut in the budget to help them 'survive the winter'.

Heading for perfect storm

Michael O'Donovan from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI), says action needs to be taken to help pub owners:

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"We're heading into the perfect storm this winter with rising costs.

"We're experiencing staffing difficulties and our trade has been affected at the moment with people being careful of how they're spending their disposable income.

"We're asking the government to reduce the excise duty so we can survive the winter."

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