It could be last orders for wet pubs as re-opening date withdrawn

A pub owner in Ballymena say's it could be last orders for good after The Executive announced wet pubs won't be able to re-open on the 1st of September.

They said the previous indicative dates were postponed due to the spread of the virus.

They had initially been given a date of 10 August to reopen, but this was pushed back to 1 September at the earliest several weeks ago.

Stephen Reynolds, who owns The Front Page Bar in Ballymena, says it could be the end of his 30 year business.

He said: "We've been closed for 23 weeks now, it's an absolute disaster for the industry. Many of my fellow publicans can't understand the difference between a pub that sells food and a traditional wet led pub.

"we have always worked under controlled conditions, like admission is controlled by door men or staff, measures are controlled, consumption is controlled, behaviour is controlled, opening and closing times are closed. We struggle to understand why wet pubs are put back once again. Devastating news."

Stephen now fears his 30 year business could close for good if they don't get some support from the Government and fast.

"This may well be last orders for many pubs, we've been hanging on by our fingernails. I've been trading here for 30 years and it's not looking good. To remain closed it's costing me £1,200 a week to keep the pub running, a mathematician would know that can't go on, something has to give."

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster said it's another devastating blow for the industry.

“This is catastrophic news for hard-working publicans right across Northern Ireland who made the ultimate sacrifice in closing their premises six months ago for the greater good. These individuals and families have endured two months of additional closure without any financial support. In so doing, they have already demonstrated a high level of responsibility at considerable personal and financial cost.”

“The Northern Ireland Executive must now come forward with immediate financial assistance. Without this, thousands of jobs will be lost along with a vital part of the hospitality sector here. It will be unforgivable if this is need is not met.”

“These hard-working publicans are paying the price with no income and a stack of bills running into the thousands of pounds each week. This is just not sustainable. We understand that the Executive didn’t even meet today and it is simply an insult that, at the very least, a meeting was called to discuss the impact of this decision on thousands of staff and their families. They haven’t even been given another suggested indicative date, removing any hope they may still have.”

“We understand the risk posed by this virus but we have not been presented with any definitive evidence to suggest traditional non-food pubs are any higher risk. Indeed, experience in the rest of the UK would suggest otherwise. We are now calling on the Executive to take another look at this and find a workable and practical solution to resolve this major problem.”

“As employers, employees and their families face the reality of further uncertainty and likely job losses, it is over the NI Executive to ensure that these people can put food on their tables.”