Dublin hit by smoking ban
(Published 2-Aug-2004. Reproduced by kind permission of The Publican)

Dublin pub sales and staffing numbers have been hit hard by the smoking ban,
according to the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA).

New research shows turnover is down by an average of 16 per cent and that there has been a 14 per cent decline in pub staffing levels.

The LVA, which represents Dublin publicans, commissioned the survey of 277 pub owners and managers, representing roughly half of the Dublin trade.

Eighty six per cent of publicans described the business climate for the licensed trade in Dublin as unfavourable, while 95 per cent predicted a decrease or no change in their numbers of staff over the next six months.

Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the LVA, said: “The research clearly proves that the Dublin pub trade is losing as much as 650 full time staff and 1,300 part time staff. Let’s be clear about the real cost of the smoking ban – up to 2,000 jobs are being lost.”

Quantum Business Media
www.thepublican.com