The fund is part of a $100 million fund by Diageo to support the recovery of the hospitality industry around the world.
Guinness has launched a fund worth €14 million to support pubs across the island of Ireland as they seek to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The hospitality industry has been significantly impacted by Covid-19 in recent months and the fund, called ‘Raising the Bar, will provide support through the supply of practical equipment for pubs to implement new social distancing measures, digital skills training and contactless technology.
Beginning next month, ‘Raising the Bar’ will be a two-year programme and was designed following a global survey of bar owners to identify what they need to reopen after lockdown.
In Ireland, from today (24 June), bar owners across the island of Ireland will be able to register their interest for the programme via www.mydiageo.com. Bar owners will receive regular updates on best practice training and resources and be able to participate in global surveys to share insights as they build back their businesses.
To avail of support from the ‘Raising the Bar’ fund, pubs must meet the following criteria:
- Must be registered as a legal entity (for tax purposes) or equivalent in each jurisdiction.
- Must have been operating for minimum period of 12 months before introduction of any national or local lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19, affecting its ability to operate in a business as usual manner.
- Must have a beer and/or spirits licence or equivalent.
- Must demonstrate at least one way in which they are or plan to ‘Raise the Bar’ in their community, including: promoting inclusion and diversity and job-creation in disadvantaged communities; promoting positive drinking and tackling harm or anti-social behaviour; focusing on sustainability or community support; and providing skills training, especially those from disadvantaged groups.
Guinness will consult with the on-trade industry in Ireland as to how best to direct future funding over the two-year period and further details about the fund will be made available in July.
Commenting on the launch of the ‘Raising the Bar’ fund, Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive of Diageo commented: “Pubs and bars sit at the heart of every community. We have launched ‘Raising the Bar’ as so many outlets have been impacted by this crisis and badly need help to open their doors again.
“We are calling on governments around the world to provide long-term recovery packages to help the hospitality sector. These businesses play an essential role in bringing people together to socialise and celebrate – something that we have all missed so much during this terrible crisis – and sustain hundreds of millions of jobs, often providing a first foot on the employment ladder for young people.”
Oliver Loomes, Managing Director of Diageo Ireland, added: “The hospitality sector in Ireland requires long-term investment and support to get back up and running. Not only has the financial impact to their business been significant, but they have missed their place at the centre of Ireland’s social fabric. Through this €14 million ‘Raising the Bar’ fund, our ambition is to support pubs in Ireland in welcoming back customers in the safest possible way, when they are ready to do so.
“It is more important than ever to work with our partners to create a safe and sustainable night time economy together. This fund is our commitment to the future of the local pub in Ireland. It will also be essential for the authorities on this island to work together with our industry to build both a safe and a sustainable hospitality and bar sector.”
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