Figures show hospitality closures have 'been running at two a day for much of this year'

The RAI told the Irish Examiner that the surge in closures in January saw 101 businesses shut.  This compared to just 18 in January of 2023. 

More than 570 restaurants, cafes, and other food businesses have permanently shut their doors since last September, new figures have revealed.

The Restaurant's Association of Ireland (RAI) has published new data that reveal the extent of closures across the sector amid rising business costs and an increase in the VAT rate. The association says there has been a notable spike in closures since VAT rates returned to 13.5% last year, having been set at 9% throughout the pandemic.