Media Coverage – April 2024

‘Report claims restaurant closures since January to cost economy €288m’

The Irish economy could lose up to €288m annually as a result of the closure of more than 200 restaurants, cafes and other food-led businesses so far this year, according to a new report by the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

‘Irish hospitality is in crisis – but can it be helped?’

The Restaurant Association of Ireland estimated that 200 restaurants, cafés and other food-led businesses closed in the last three months, with nearly 4,664 direct jobs lost as a result and costing the state €288 million. The lobby group’s CEO Adrian Cummins has described it as an industry in “crisis”. 

‘Cork restaurateur says without Vat changes, businesses won’t be able to ‘weather the storm’’

Mike Ryan, the Cork chairman of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) and co-owner of the Cornstore Restaurant, said that without a move to reduce the Vat rate, businesses will be unable to “weather the storm”.