Hospitality

Drinks industry calls for reduction in excise tax as 450 pubs close since Covid-19

Almost 2,000 pubs have closed their doors since 2005, with rural areas most affected

The Temple Bar pub in Dublin, one of the country’s most famous pubs: Research shows that all 26 counties experienced a decline in the number of public houses from 2005 to 2022, with the lowest decrease seen in the capital. Picture: Getty

A body representing the hospitality and drinks industry has urged the government to safeguard the sustainability of small, regional pubs by reducing Ireland’s alcohol excise tax over the next two years.

New research from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIG) shows over 450 pubs have closed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the greatest decreases seen in rural areas.

According to the group, Ireland has the second highest overall excise tax in ...