Small business owners in the hospitality industry are asking the people of Clare to ‘Support Your Local’ and choose a trip to their local pub, restaurant or hotel this summer.
The call is part of the Support Your Local Campaign, which is seeking to highlight the economic contribution that the drinks and hospitality industry makes across the country.
Recent research shows that, in Clare, the drinks and hospitality industry accounts for 329 hotels and pubs; supports 2,909 jobs; pays €66mm in wages and purchases 7.8m litres of milk.
“Nothing beats a trip to the local pub. Pubs are the hub of the local town, the heart of the local community, a place where people can relax and enjoy the welcome surrounds of friends and neighbours or simply pop in for a quick bite on a Sunday,” says Charlie O’Meara from Moroney’s Bar, Market Place, Ennis and chairman of the Clare Branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland.
“If we are going to preserve that, we need to support our locals, which is why I am delighted to lend my support to this campaign to call on people to ‘Support Your Local’.
“Pubs are also vital for tourists, with our céad míle fáilte famous the world over. Tourists tell me time and time again that they love having a pint with locals. Fáilte Ireland research shows that a trip to the pub to listen to music is one of the top ‘to-dos’ for tourists. We as nation should be proud of our world renowned hospitality,” Mr O’Meara said.
Bart Storan, campaign manager, said, “In Clare, the drinks and hospitality industry supports almost 3,000 jobs, with the 329 hotels and pubs in Clare vital for the community and tourists alike. The industry also supports local farmers, purchasing 7.8m litres of milk a year.
“We do, however, also need a show of support from the Government in the next budget. Currently, alcohol taxation in the form of excise is uncompetitive and leaves local customers and tourists out of pocket.
“The price of a pint would be 14% cheaper if we applied German excise rates here. Additionally, previous Fáilte Ireland research has found that the price of a pint is a major reason why tourists wouldn’t return. Therefore, we call on the Government to bring alcohol taxation levels in line with European norms to facilitate Ireland’s hospitality sector.
“We are also calling on the Government to establish a taskforce to support valuable local businesses from the hospitality sector and to work to implement measures to ensure their survival,” he concluded.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.