Publicans accept fully-licensed restaurants

PUBLICANS were fully prepared to accept restaurants serving a full range of alcohol, if Justice Minister Micheal McDowell’s café bar plan was dropped.

The cafe bars were seen as a direct threat to their business, whereas restaurants are considered less of an enemy. Vintners’ representative groups were eager to stress that their objections to cafe bars were based on concerns that more outlets could lead to an increase in alcohol consumption and, by extension, alcohol-related harm.

However, one of the groups made clear it would have no problems with restaurants being allowed to serve a greater range of alcoholic products.