1,000 pubs could close in next decade

As many as 1,000 pubs could close over the next decade, according to the author of a new report into the economic impact of the drinks trade on the tourism sector.

Anthony Foley of the Dublin City University Business School said 1,000 pubs, mostly in rural areas, closed between 2007 and the end of last year, sparked by the economic crash.

He said a similar number could be expected to close down over the next decade, as “no magic solution” was likely to be found to retain their economic viability.