1 in 3 restaurants facing closure in next 6 months

ONE in three restaurants face closure in the next six months, according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), which will launch its survival plan for the restaurant sector in Dublin today.

The association has found that more than 80% of restaurants in Ireland are running at a loss, putting 21,000 jobs in the sector at risk and resulting in a potential €700 million annual loss in tax revenue.

RAI chief executive, Adrian Cummins, said the current situation confirmed the association’s worst fears since the recession began.