Lifestyle & Sports
27 Apr 20

90% of Irish restaurants face permanent closure due to Covid-19

That's the stark warning from the Restaurants Association of Ireland as they launch a 9-point plan to protect 120,000 jobs

Representing 3,000 restaurants, gastropubs, cafes and other eateries, the Association want these supports introduced immediately by government:

1. VAT: 0% VAT Rate for Tourism & Hospitality for period of crisis & for 12 months thereafter & then revert to 9% for period of 5 years

2. Rents: Legislation to protect commercial lease holders & any mortgage holiday or write offs to be passed on to the lease holder. A scheme like France called the 60/20/20. Government supplements Rent by 60%, Landlord reduces rent by 20% & Commercial Tenant pays 20% for 12 months of the crisis

3. Banks: No banking fees for hospitality until a vaccine is found. ECB interest rates on loans & a moratorium on existing loan repayments

4. Insurance: Pay-outs under business interruption & notifiable disease clauses. Forbearance, in either rebates or extensions to policies for period of closure, & no suspension of cover whilst businesses are closed

5. Wage Supports: Continued supports for Restaurants & Hospitality until vaccine is found. Support for people over the age of 66 & seasonal workers in the PUP & Wage Subsidy Schemes

6. Liquidity Grants: A DBEI package of grants for businesses to cover outgoings in the first six months following the return of normal trading

7. Commercial Rates: Rates write off for Restaurants & Hospitality for the full crisis period until a vaccine is found

8. Utilities: Ban on utility providers cutting off services & demanding payments when business are closed. Review of standing charges for closure period.

9. Outdoor Seating: Waiver of licences for outdoor tables and chairs for 1 year to enable businesses to reopen and adapt to social distancing using outdoor spaces

"Our plan which is the only viable solution for restaurants is on the desks of Ministers and Departments," states Association CEO, Adrian Cummins. "We are seeking urgent action to save and recover our industry as 9 out of 10 Restaurants face permanent closure in the months ahead without urgent action.”