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6th June 2021
02:18pm BST
Over 50% of Ireland’s pubs are set to reopen for outdoor service from Monday as they prepare to welcome back customers for the first time this year.
Approximately 4,000 pubs are expected to resume trading while 25,000 staff will return to work, says the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI).
Publicans are reporting strong bookings for the first day back, with many pubs fully booked out a week in advance of the Bank Holiday. However, according to the VFI, some pubs are reserving tables for walk-ins to be able to cater to customers on the day.
VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben said ahead of the reopening: “It’s a big day for the pub trade as 4,000 pubs are set to reopen for outdoor service.
"There is a strong sense of anticipation among publicans to get open and get back to what they do best. The message from publicans to old regulars and new customers alike is ‘we’ve missed you and welcome back’.
“The reopening for outdoor service will also see 25,000 staff return to work after a horrendous 15 months. Last year’s numerous lockdowns and partial reopening played havoc with their lives so it’s important staff have confidence that we are now on the path to a full reopening."
Cribben added that the VFI is aware that many pubs will be unable to reopen due to a lack of outdoor space, however, they are hoping for a "busy summer" once all pubs are allowed to reopen fully on 5 July.“For the vast majority of publicans, outdoor service will keep them ticking over until indoor trading resumes on 5 July," Cribben continued.
"We’re acutely aware that thousands of our members cannot open this week at they have no outdoor space and will have to wait another four weeks to resume trading.
“We’re hoping for a busy summer once all pubs open. There is a sense in the trade that people want to get out of the house and meet up. To get pubs back open will be a great sign the country is returning to normal."
