Spending in bars drops significantly during peak summertime period

On a monthly basis, the volume of bar sales dropped by 13.5%, new CSO figures show

The sharp drop comes amid repeated calls among hospitality groups for a reintroduction of the sector's 9% VAT rate ahead of the upcoming Budget. 

Spending in bars dropped significantly in July with the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing a sharp fall in sales during the industry's peak summertime period. 

In its latest retail sales index, the CSO found the volume of bar spending dropped by more than 16% annually, likely underpinned by bad weather during the key trading month. On a monthly basis, the volume of bar sales dropped by 13.5%.