Irish hospitality sector take to the streets as industry at “breaking point”

This winter could see a number of closures for the Irish hospitality scene, with many workers taking to the streets in a call for action.

Pub, restaurant and café closures have been abundant across the country this year, with a huge number of home grown businesses struggling to stay afloat.

Tuesday is a “Day of Action” for the sector, with hundreds marching on the Dáil to warn that their industry is now in crisis. 

Following on from the return of 13.5% VAT rate in September 2023, 700 restaurants, cafés and food businesses have been forced to close their doors nationwide.

The controversial move has seen the industry continuously call for the rate to be returned to 9%, but sadly the government has not heeded their pleas.

Additional Government policies, including minimum wage hikes and sick day increases are also putting strain on businesses.

Speaking to Newstalk, Restaurants Association of Ireland CEO Adrian Cummins said hospitality workers would “much rather be serving great food and welcoming guests from across the country and across the world than travelling to Dublin to protest.”

“Unfortunately, the lack of support for hospitality and small businesses in Budget 2025 made this demonstration inevitable,” he added.

“We are calling on the Government to engage with us meaningfully so that we can collaborate on policies that will fix the broken model facing hospitality businesses in Ireland today and return viability to the sector.”

Clear message from the hospitality industry as we march united today at our #HospitalityDayofAction#SMEDayofAction #VAT9 pic.twitter.com/F20zjtnUct

— Restaurants Association of Ireland (@RAI_ie) October 15, 2024

Vintners’ Federation of Ireland Chief Pat Crotty also shared his dismay for publicans nationwide.

“We are here today to demand action because, without urgent intervention, many pubs won’t survive the winter. 

“The hospitality sector is the backbone of our communities, particularly in rural Ireland, yet, despite repeated warnings, the Government has ignored the reality we face,” he continued.

“The measures announced in the Budget simply do not go far enough to safeguard the future of our industry.”

What a great crowd gathering for #HospitalityDayOfAction

We’re proud to have publicans, wider hospitality sector and retail colleagues all marching on Leinster House this afternoon to send a clear message to Government: Support small & local business! pic.twitter.com/JoASTnl1zZ

— VFI (@VFIpubs) October 15, 2024

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.