Publicans sound jobs alert over energy costs

THE Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has claimed thousands of jobs will be lost in the pub trade unless the Government matches the federation’s own efforts to cut costs.

The VFI said its members were taking positive steps to reduce their energy usage.

At its annual conference in Galway yesterday, it launched Calling Time on Waste: A Publican’s guidebook to a leaner, greener cost base information guide, which it said could save members up to €8,000 each per annum on energy and environmental costs.

However, it said the efforts publicans were making to be more efficient had to be bolstered by the Government through the reduction in the high unit cost of energy.

A VFI spokesman said water charges were also an issue.

“Local authorities are simply charging too much and it varies throughout the country. Water rates have flown up in recent months.

“In some cases the rates have grown by 300% and there are charges on water into the businesses and water out.

“There is a feeling that the end of the property boom has meant the local authority coffers are drying up and now they are trying to generate more revenue through the likes of water charges and commercial rates.”

Val Hanley, president of the VFI, said: “We cannot do it alone and we need the Government to work with us. A concerted effort is urgently needed to address the issue of the high cost of running a business in this country. Spiralling water charges, energy costs and commercial rates are simply unsustainable for the majority of small businesses.

“With the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland forecasting the loss of 9,000 jobs in the drinks industry over the coming year, if the situation does not improve, the cost of inaction will be extremely high. We are playing our part and we call on the Government to play theirs. Otherwise, thousands of jobs will be lost in the pub trade putting increased pressure on the national exchequer in the form of social welfare payments.”

Another issue for the 250 delegates at the conference is the discount sale of alcohol in supermarkets and filling stations. The VFI believes the practice is leading to irresponsible, uncontrolled consumption of alcohol and contributing to a rise in anti-social behaviour. It has called for the Government to enact agreed legislation which would control the low-cost sale.