Cost of late bar licences ‘killing city at night’

A leading publican has claimed Cork City centre is “dying at night” due to the excessive cost of late-night bar extensions.

Con Dennehy, chairman of County Cork VFI (Vintners’ Federation of Ireland) said many small bar owners who would love to have late opening cannot afford the fees — which can top €430.

He said the lack of late-night bar facilities was causing the city to lose even more short-break tourists to other destinations.