The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), the representative body for Dublin publicans, has written to the chief executives of the main banks and insurers seeking an urgent meeting, following the closure of pubs across the country.
The LVA is seeking support from the banks and insurers to help publicans keep their business afloat during a period when they will have zero turnover.
“Pubs across the country closed over the weekend, which was the correct decision to make putting public health first in light of the critical situation we all are facing,” said Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA. “Now that decision has been made, it also needs to be recognised by the banks and insurers that these extraordinary circumstances are going to have a massive impact on these local businesses. There will be no money coming into pubs for the duration of this period of closure.
“That is why we are seeking urgent meetings with the various banks and insurers. We will be pressing them to bring forward comprehensive support measures which take the new reality into account.
“There is an onus on the banks and the insurers to do their part in saving this industry so that most pubs will be able to reopen. Their support will go a long way in assisting pubs to get back to trading when this crisis eventually passes, providing extensive employment and serving their customers across the country,” Mr. O’Keeffe concluded.