Pubs cut 7,000 jobs last year to survive

PUBLICANS have cut staff numbers and working hours in a bid to stay afloat, according to the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), who warned of further pub closures this year.

With the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland estimating that 7,000 jobs were lost in 2010 in the pub sector, VFI will hold its annual general meeting today in Cavan.

Motions to be debated include lobbying the Department of Justice to allow later opening times at the weekend and giving publicans a choice on whether or not to open on Good Friday. The AGM will also include the launch of Options 4 Recovery, a VFI-generated blueprint for saving jobs and pubs.