Publicans call for rates system reform

PUBLICANS have called on the Government to introduce a series of urgent measures, including a reform of the rates system and a ban on below-cost sales of alcohol, to help hundreds of struggling pubs around the country to survive the recession.

Delegates at the annual general conference of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) yesterday also voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion seeking Government approval for longer opening hours at weekends.

The organisation claimed pub sales had already fallen by 7.4% in the first three months of 2011 after a drop in sales volume of 10.5% last year.