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Hospitality

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Planned investment projects include bedroom refurbishment (61% of hotels) and upgrades to restaurants, bars and common areas (47% of hotels).</p>

economy

Irish hotel occupancy rose to 76% last year

Irish Hotels Federation says the sector is cautiously optimistic for 2026, partly boosted by the return of the 9% Vat rate in July

<p>Publican Benny McCabe at The Pav on Carey's Lane in Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

comment-analysis

Benny McCabe: Hike in the price of a pint unfairly hits publicans and their customers

<p>The call to keep the 9% rate comes after price hike announcements from energy companies SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis Energy, Pinergy, Flogas, and Energia. Stock picture</p>

politics

Budget 2026: 9% Vat rate on gas and electricity should remain – Jack Chambers

Small business rising costs

news

‘Tsunami’ of costs faced by businesses threatening to ‘hollow out’ towns

Derelict pub

companies

More than 2,000 pubs shut down since the peak of the Celtic Tiger, report finds

Keys from room hotel on the door

munster

Cork Airport hotel gets green light to add 20 further rooms

Book review: Raising a glass to a vanishing tradition

Book review: Raising a glass to a vanishing tradition

Maurice Gorham's brief, impressionistic, sketches of London pub life overflow with vivid depictions of a largely vanished city

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024

Venison

Government strategy group rejects calls for reduced Vat rate for hospitality

Reducing the Vat rate to 9% for the hospitality industry "would constitute an enormous fiscal transfer of taxpayer’s money to the sector which the evidence available at present does not support”, the Tax Strategy Group stated.

Tue, 23 Jul, 2024

Nell's Wine Bar on Cork's MacCurtain Street to close

Nell's Wine Bar on Cork's MacCurtain Street to close

It is the latest in a series of closures in Cork, following the likes of Nash 19, Burnt, and Electric

Fri, 05 Jul, 2024

Bringing transparency and efficiency to tipping in Irish hospitality

Bringing transparency and efficiency to tipping in Irish hospitality

Mobile platform JUSTTIP is designed to bring transparency to tipping, for both employers and staff

Thu, 23 May, 2024

Mitchells & Butlers finacials

Shares soar 10% in JP McManus-owned pubs group M&B

Part-owned by Irish investors JP McManus and John Magnier, Mitchells & Butlers posted a 64% increase in operating profit

Wed, 22 May, 2024

Classic bar

Publicans say extra cost of living wage increase is 'unsustainable'

Vintners Federation of Ireland says introducing a living wage would mean 40% of a pub’s turnover would go on labour costs

Mon, 13 May, 2024

Bartender holding beer glass below dispenser tap

Pat Crotty: Critical time for pubs as costs of staying open surge

I understand that customers hear about suppliers increasing the cost of a pint by 6 cent but are left scratching their heads when that translates to, for instance, 20 cent at the till

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Ballymaloe House Hotel's Hazel Allen dies, aged 73

Ballymaloe House Hotel's Hazel Allen dies, aged 73

As well as running the famous East Cork hotel since the 1970s, the 73-year-old was one of the founders of Ireland's Blue Book

Fri, 03 May, 2024

Businesses once again in jeopardy

Businesses once again in jeopardy

We should expect to see plenty more lobbying for a 9% VAT rate for certain sectors as Budget 2025 plans start to take shape

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Assets of two former Fota Island Resort and Kingsley Hotel directors frozen

Assets of two former Fota Island Resort and Kingsley Hotel directors frozen

Ownership of the luxury Fota Island Resort and the Kingsley Hotel has already been the subject of a long-running legal battle

Sat, 16 Mar, 2024

Group of friends partying in a nightclub

Plans to allow bars and clubs open until 6am unlikely to happen by summer

Taoiseach says Justice Minister Helen McEntee 'has many priorities and more important priorities than opening nightclubs late perhaps, but she is working on it'

Fri, 08 Mar, 2024

Coveney says Government will give businesses more supports before next budget

Coveney says Government will give businesses more supports before next budget

Enterprise minister preparing to publish report that details the impacts of recent Government decisions on increased costs for businesses

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Do not disturb - hotel room interior

Donagh Davern: Hotel sector must implement technology to thrive

Labour shortages and increased guest demands will mean that technological advances will increase for the hospitality sector

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024

Sorry, we're closed

Jim Power: RTÉ and FAI chaos is drawing attention away from urgent economic issues

While our media and political classes are going into convulsions, the real problems and issues facing the economy are not getting anything like the attention that they deserve.

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024

'It feels I'm working for nothing': Cafe owner calls on Government to help struggling businesses

'It feels I'm working for nothing': Cafe owner calls on Government to help struggling businesses

With rising costs, the increase in the minimum wage, and the decision to raise the Vat rate back to 13.5%, owner of popular coffee shop feels the Government is 'stabbing small businesses'

Fri, 16 Feb, 2024

Cork chef hopes his 'Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen' win will inspire others

Cork chef hopes his 'Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen' win will inspire others

MTU graduate Ryan O’Sullivan, who had worked in the Maryborough and River Lee hotels, won the $250,000 prize and landed a job as head chef in Ramsay's Las Vegas restaurant

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Cork City traders unveil plan for expanded Princes St market over the holiday weekend

Cork City traders unveil plan for expanded Princes St market over the holiday weekend

Expanded 'eat on the street' will coincide with the first public holiday of the year, and with Munster Rugby's match against Crusaders in Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Tip money and bill

Businesses and workers to have their say on tipping legislation

Public consultation is seeking input on the possible weaknesses in the current legislation and how improvements can be made

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

Sorry, we're closed

Closed for business: How the hospitality sector is being wrecked by the perfect storm

The Irish restaurant sector is buckling under an existential crisis caused by multiple factors and is in desperate need of rapid solutions, writes Joe McNamee

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024

Woman working at a restaurant

Employers face on-the-spot fines for not passing on tips

Workplace Relations Commission can impose fines of up to €1,500 on restaurants or bars found to be in breach of law

Sat, 30 Dec, 2023

'Covid was a disaster for us': Charlie Chawke laments 'lost customers' from pandemic

'Covid was a disaster for us': Charlie Chawke laments 'lost customers' from pandemic

'Business is nearly back to what it was before the covid but it is hard work'

Tue, 19 Dec, 2023

Profits surge at Donald Trump-owned Doonbeg resort

Profits surge at Donald Trump-owned Doonbeg resort

The Trump Organisation has ploughed more than €40m, including the purchase price, into the resort since it came under its ownership in 2014

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

last straw

Chef shortage made worse by visa delays, says Cork hotel manager

IHF vice president Michael Magner said delays in the work permit and visa process are taking up to five months

Wed, 06 Dec, 2023

Woman working at a restaurant

Ibec warns that struggling SMEs may need extra financial help

70% of survey respondents are as confident now as they were six months ago — but 25% said they expected turnover to fall

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Letters to the Editor: CUH and MUH staff went above and beyond in trying conditions

Letters to the Editor: CUH and MUH staff went above and beyond in trying conditions

A reader pays tribute to hospital staff, and others look at issues including the Middle East conflict, rural transport, and hotels 'price gouging' around events such as Bruce Springsteen's gigs

Sat, 04 Nov, 2023

Want to bag Bruce Springsteen tickets? You might be better off looking abroad

Want to bag Bruce Springsteen tickets? You might be better off looking abroad

Ahead of Monday's release of tickets for his 2024 gigs, some cost-conscious Irish fans will consider a minibreak in Spain or Italy to see The Boss

Fri, 03 Nov, 2023

Budget 2024: 'That’s a lot of bottles of wine to pay the electricity bill'

Budget 2024: 'That’s a lot of bottles of wine to pay the electricity bill'

High Vat and soaring electricity prices continue to bite small firms, such as the MacCurtain Wine Cellar in Cork City

Tue, 10 Oct, 2023

Reduced Vat rate for hospitality sector would 'benefit higher-income households more'

Reduced Vat rate for hospitality sector would 'benefit higher-income households more'

New analysis examined rationale for reduced Vat rate for hospitality and tourism industries as sector calls for return to 9% rate

Mon, 09 Oct, 2023

Hotel close to Rock of Cashel committed to controversial extension

Hotel close to Rock of Cashel committed to controversial extension

The Cashel Palace Hotel has reiterated its commitment to building a hotel extension close to the site of the Rock of Cashel, despite allowing its current controversial application to lapse.

Fri, 29 Sep, 2023

Lower VAT rate for restaurants but not hotels to be considered in future — minister

Lower VAT rate for restaurants but not hotels to be considered in future — minister

A lower Vat rate for restaurants but not hotels will be examined in the future, Tourism Minister Catherine Martin has told a meeting with hospitality representatives.

Wed, 27 Sep, 2023

Cork restaurant group targeting school-leavers to address sector shortages

Cork restaurant group targeting school-leavers to address sector shortages

New recruits to Market Lane Restaurant Group will be given time off to attend culinary training at Munster Technical University and then put their learning into practice on the job in one of the group’s restaurants

Tue, 29 Aug, 2023

The work ethic required in the 24/7 hotel industry

S The work ethic required in the 24/7 hotel industry

Mark Scott-Lennon on the changing nature of Ireland's hotel industry

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Strong month for hospitality despite cost-of-living pressures as spending up 28%

Strong month for hospitality despite cost-of-living pressures as spending up 28%

AIB data also shows that spending in hotels and restaurants rose 12% and 7% respectively between May and June

Wed, 19 Jul, 2023

Scant hope of continuing reduced Vat rate for tourism and hospitality sector

Scant hope of continuing reduced Vat rate for tourism and hospitality sector

The reduced rate of Vat is due to come to an end at the end of next month following a six-month extension agreed by the Government

Tue, 18 Jul, 2023

Cost of dining out set to rise when Vat rate is increased, industry group says

Cost of dining out set to rise when Vat rate is increased, industry group says

The Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Hairdressers Federation Ireland are campaigning for the Government to retain the existing 9% Vat rate for hospitality in the upcoming budget

Tue, 18 Jul, 2023

Smart Robot Assistant On Reception

Spot the bot: AI-generated fake reviews flooding the internet prove difficult to detect

There's nothing new about fake reviews of restaurants and hotels — but they've entered a new dimension as AI can now churn out plausible reviews at the touch of a button

Sat, 15 Jul, 2023

Inside a Punch Tavern Plc Pub As Shares Rise 3.2%

Pints flow in Dáil bar as receipts double to more than €1.1m

The Houses of the Oireachtas annual report shows sales for 2022 stood at €1,134,928

Wed, 05 Jul, 2023

How to get John and Francis Brennan's help for your business in new series of At Your Service

How to get John and Francis Brennan's help for your business in new series of At Your Service

The brothers are looking for a variety of businesses including hotels, B&Bs, bars, restaurants, historic houses and caravan sites

Mon, 26 Jun, 2023

Woman working at a restaurant

Donagh Davern: Young workers could be the solution to hospitality staff shortages

There is no doubt that changing the mindset of young people towards the sector is a key focus for hospitality providers in their efforts to curb the staff crisis they face

Sun, 28 May, 2023

Coronavirus - Sat Jul 4, 2020

Rules allowing outdoor bars may be made permanent

Simon Harris has received Cabinet approval for a six-month extension of the measure introduced during covid restrictions

Tue, 23 May, 2023

Cork's 'Grande Dame' set for €25m sale

S Cork's 'Grande Dame' set for €25m sale

The 200-year-old hotel on Cork's South Mall is likely to be sold to Louis Fitzgerald

Fri, 12 May, 2023

Staff shortages threaten Ireland's anticipated tourism boom

S Staff shortages threaten Ireland's anticipated tourism boom

The fallout of the pandemic and the rental crisis have led to the 'perfect storm' for employers in the sector

Wed, 26 Apr, 2023

Special 9% Vat rate for hospitality sector extended until September

Special 9% Vat rate for hospitality sector extended until September

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) will also be extended, and simplified to allow more small businesses to avail of the support

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Energy costs

Government indicates it will end cut on fuel excise duty and reduced Vat for hospitality

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan made clear the basis for the cuts in taxes were not tenable any more, given the decreases in prices in fuel in recent weeks

Thu, 26 Jan, 2023