INDICATIVE REOPENING DATE OF 21ST SEPTEMBER ANNOUNCED FOR NON FOOD PUBS

10 September 2020

INDICATIVE REOPENING DATE OF 21ST SEPTEMBER ANNOUNCED FOR NON FOOD PUBS

Welcoming the news from the Northern Ireland Executive that an indicative date for the reopening of traditional ‘wet-led’ pubs has been given for 21st September, Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

 

“We welcome the decision by the NI Executive in providing the indicative date of 21st September to allow traditional non-food pubs to reopen. This is such a vital step forward and, if stuck to, will be a lifeline for those who have had to shut for the past six months without any income.”

 

“Securing an indicative date will provide hope that has been sadly missing of late, and will help secure hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs that have been hanging in the balance.”

 

“We have provided assurances and offered suggestions on enforceable measures for the protection of public health and staff in the sector, for both those already open, and the reopening of the traditional non food serving pubs. We can see from the reopening of other parts of the sector since the start of July that the vast majority of the hospitality industry is taking this very seriously. They want to be open, trading and welcoming back customers, not being over reliant on government.”

 

“We have to also remember that we have been given an indicative time frame previously and we must encourage the Executive to hold steady in getting us to the new date less than two weeks away. Any further delay, without a critical financial aid package, will be catastrophic.”  

 

“We also must acknowledge that other parts of the hospitality sector still need assistance such as music and event venues and outdoor event spaces. They themselves support a whole host of performers in the arts and cultural sector for example and it is just as important that we get these places back on their feet again.”