Last orders called at over 100 pubs in Clare since 2005
114 less pubs in Clare while over 2,000 pubs across Ireland have called time on trading since 2005 new report shows
A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows a continuing decline in the number of pubs in Ireland, with 2,054 fewer pubs today than there were in 2005.
In county Clare, 114 pubs have closed since 2005.
The report, including economic analysis from Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Anthony Foley, shows that an average of 114 pubs have closed annually over the past 18 years across the country.
The number of closures has risen in the last five years to 144 annual closures.
Titled “Support Growth: A Sustainable Future for Ireland’s Drinks and Hospitality Sector”, the report includes a county-by-county breakdown of the number of pubs shuttered.
Counties Limerick (35.6%), Roscommon (31.9%), Cork (31.4%), Tipperary (31.2%) and Laois (30.6%) have seen the highest declines, each exceeding the national closure average of 24%.
Seven counties experienced a decline of 30% or more in their number of pubs, and all 26 counties have experienced a decline in pub numbers since 2005.
Commenting, author of the report, Professor Tony Foley said th analysis verifies "the consistent trend we have been seeing with pub numbers in every part of the country."
"There is clearly a variation on closures between counties which broadly sees rural areas adversely impacted. The continuing decline is taking place against a backdrop of societal change and cost of business strains.
"Consumption of alcohol has notably decreased, how we socialise is changing, the types of drinks we consume are changing, particularly the rise of low-alcohol and alcohol-free products," Prof Foley continued.
“We are also seeing that with many pubs, which are often small, family-run businesses, sustaining business is becoming harder and harder."
The lowest number of pub closures over the period came in Dublin which has seen a decline of 3% in pub numbers. Other counties with lower closures rates include Meath (6.7%), (Wicklow (8.9%), Kildare (12%) and Carlow (14.2%).
This latest analysis comes on top of recently published data by the Restaurants Association of Ireland which found that 283 food-led businesses such as restaurants, cafés and gastropubs closed in the last six months of 2023, with a further 212 such businesses shuttered so far this year.
A recent survey of almost 600 pubs and restaurants, conducted as part of today’s report found that almost one in four had seen their business costs increase by 20-30% in the last two years.
An additional 15% found that their business costs had increased by over 40% in the last two years.
In addition to this, the survey found that if government support, such as a cut in the excise rate was provided, it would allow the industry to sustain and grow.
23% of business owners would refurbish their business, 18% said they would hire more staff and 13% said they would invest in new offerings or services such as food or accommodation.
“The decline of over 2,000 pubs since 2005 reflects the real change and challenges this sector is dealing with," DIGI Chair and Communications and Corporate Affairs Director at Irish Distillers, Kathryn D’Arcy, said.
"Pubs, restaurants, and hotels employ over 207,000 people which is 8.3% of all employees in the country.
"These people and the businesses they work for are part of the economic and social fabric of their communities. Running such businesses in a climate where the cost of doing business is squeezing more and more is difficult," she continued.
Read more Business stories on Clare Live