Huge drop in pub numbers
The number of pubs in Westmeath has fallen by over 20% since 2005.
According to recently released figures from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), there were 213 pubs in the county in 2005. By end of last year, the number had fallen to 170, a decrease of 20%.
Nationally, the number of pubs fell from 8,617 in 2005 to 7,140 in 2012, a drop of 17%.
The figures obtained by the DIGI are based on an analysis of the liquor licence figures published by Revenue - which tracks the number of premises that have publican’s licences (7-day licences that allow the sale of beer, wine and spirits to be consumed on-site).
Rural counties saw the most significant drop in pubs, which serve as a major source of employment regionally. In 2005, there were 7,831 pubs in Ireland outside of Dublin. In 2017, that number dropped by 18.7% to 6,367.
Cork, which has the largest number of pubs, saw the most significant decline in the country. In 2017, Cork had 915 pubs – a 25% decrease from 1,221 in 2005.
In contrast to publican’s licences, off licences saw an increase of 11.8% since 2005. 3,331 premises registered an off licence in 2017, compared to 2,966 in 2005. Licences for wine-only bars and restaurants were also up 3.1% since 2005.
In total, there were 866 fewer liquor licences registered in Ireland in 2017 than in 2005 – a decrease of 5.6%.
Commenting on the findings, Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive Officer, Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and member of DIGI said: “The number of pubs are down 17.1% in the period from 2005 to 2017 which is a worrying statistic. These pubs are small businesses, mainly in rural Ireland, that provide significant employment and continue to create jobs in local communities.
“In Longford-Westmeath alone, hospitality and drinks businesses enable 6,139 jobs while in Donegal, there are 368 pubs and 7,445 jobs supported by the industry. This demonstrates the scale of employment that this sector creates rurally.
“However, the sharp decline in the number of pubs is worrying and is further evidence of the need to monitor the industry and ensure the necessary supports are in place to reverse this trend.
“While the Government committed to assist small rural businesses recover during the recession, business owners in the drinks industry were challenged by two increases in alcohol excise tax in Budget 2012 and Budget 2013. Our punitive alcohol excise tax – the second highest in the EU – slows the growth of these businesses and impacts their day-to-day operations and bottom line.
“DIGI is calling on the Government to reduce Ireland’s high rate of excise tax. A reduction in alcohol excise tax will encourage the growth of our drinks and hospitality sector, return money to Irish consumers and make Ireland more competitive internationally.”