A third of Galway City pubs have let staff go this year

Up to a third of all pubs in Galway City have let staff go since the start of the year in what has been described as a desperate attempt to stay open while the economic crisis continues to impact on the hospitality sector.

With 150 pubs across the country having closed their doors last year, local Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) spokesman Terry Tyson said the vast majority of publicans were unhappy with the support they were receiving from the Government in tough times.

“Galway City may be holding its own somewhat compared to rural areas, but we are way back on where we were eight years ago,” said Mr Tyson. “Every pub in the county is now closed until 6 or 7pm, the day trade is totally gone, and the only people doing well are the pubs who are offering food in the day time.

“The Government just doesn’t seem to be interested in an industry which has seen employment levels fall from 75,000 to 50,000 in just eight years. Despite all the good publicity the Irish pub gets in Failte Ireland marketing, the Government is ignoring an important industry which has lost 25,000 jobs in that space of time.”

Independent research carried out by the VHI shows that 39% of Irish pubs made reductions to staffing levels in the first three months of this year. Mr Tyson said this alarming figure was reflected in Co Galway, where pubs outside of the Latin Quarter and the city centre are struggling.

“If you go to Bohermore, Woodquay, or any suburban or rural area you will set that pubs are struggling, especially early in the week,” he said. “I had to visit 14 or 15 pubs on Wednesday night and in some places the only people in them were the publicans themselves.

“They’ve had to let staff go. The publicans might have been forced to make the full-time staff go part-time or they have taken on extra hours themselves.”