Pub trade is caught in the perfect storm

Severe staffing shortages in the hospitality sector are being exacerbated by spiralling rent costs and the cost-of-living crisis.

Chair of the Galway Vintners Federation Johnny Duggan said this week that issues recruiting staff were persisting – with many publicans and restauranteurs still struggling to return to pre-Covid levels.

And rent costs – particularly in the city – were compounding the problem with some of the industry’s workers opting to leave Galway for more reasonable accommodation elsewhere in the country.

“A lot of places are finding it very hard to fill positions, particularly in kitchens. There are issues finding bar staff and security and door staff are also very difficulty to find. They have to have a Private Security Association Licence and there has been a mass exodus out of that profession over the last two years.

“We’re finding big problems in attracting people to come to the city because of the high rents and the lack of accommodation,” said Mr Duggan.

“One publican thought he had two people hired – they were offered the jobs. But they were also offered jobs in Waterford and they chose Waterford because they would have more disposable income down there.”

He said if higher wages were required to attract workers, that was something the industry would have to address – but it would mean passing the increased costs on to customers.

“If the wage demands are at a level, it will have an impact on prices but if that’s what’s required, we will have to do it to attract staff and at the same time, push up prices.

“Ultimately, I think paying more will help but that feeds into the inflation cycle . . . to get staff, if it means having to pay more, people will just have to pay more,” said Mr Duggan.

Several pubs and restaurants had not returned to their pre-Covid opening hours because of staff shortages, he said, and while there was strong demand from punters, it was particularly tough for places serving food.

“A lot of places around town would have had kitchens open from 9am to 9pm, seven days of the week, but they don’t have the staff to do that at the moment.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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