Night-time economy bouncing back following Dublin riots – LVA

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has said that the night-time economy is bouncing back following the recent riot in Dublin.

Pubs and late bars both in the city centre and across the suburbs reported strong levels of business with significant numbers of customers returning to the city centre this weekend, reassured by the strong Garda presence on the streets.

Pubs across Dublin now have an optimistic outlook for the remaining two weeks before Christmas which are usually among the busiest weeks of the year for pubs.

“There was a significant increase in activity over the course of the weekend, which bodes well for the two weeks running up to Christmas,” said Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA. “Many of the publicans across the capital noted the strong and sustained level of customers returning which is very positive. There is also a notable optimistic outlook for the next couple of weeks.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the strong Garda presence on the streets of Dublin and particularly in the city centre. This is a critical point for publicans who said their customers have indicated the high visibility policing provided reassurance to them and that there is now an enhanced sense of security across the city.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank An Garda Síochána for their work over the last couple of weeks in this regard and their commitment to provide this presence until the new year. The political commitment of Minister McEntee to high profile policing across Dublin is also reassuring.

“We also strongly believe that maintaining a high level of Garda visibility across Dublin will be important throughout 2024, for both locals and our tourism market. We really hope this is something Minister McEntee will also commit to supporting. Garda visibility has been an ongoing point of concern for pubs in Dublin long before the most recent riot and we are concerned as to what signal would be sent about the city if further trouble were to arise in the new year.  The riots marked a watershed moment in Dublin and there can be no going back to the level of policing that existed before 23 November.

“We strongly support Dublin City Council’s #BelieveinDublin campaign and we think for that resonate in the longer term, it will need to be supported by continued highly visible members of An Garda Síochána being seen and being accessible on our capital’s streets throughout 2024,” Mr. O’Keeffe concluded.