The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Having worked in Clare bars for over 30 years, Maurice Walsh has seen a lot of change in the sector. He has run Durty Nelly’s in Bunratty for the last 16 years, and is very well versed in the challenges facing the pub trade in a county where almost one third of bars have closed permanently since 2005. Pub owners now face a range of high costs, he feels. “Definitely the general running costs have increased with insurance and rates, electricity, oil, even the turf for the fire,” he said. “The labour costs have increased, the suppliers are constantly increasing prices.” It’s no secret that it’s now expensive to go for a pint, and he says the State take a huge share of what customers pay. “The pricing, people say it’s expensive and when you break it down 60% goes to the Government,” he said. It is a difficult sector in which to make plans. “It is frustrating in a …
Read More »