A €14million support package for pubs and bars across Ireland has been launched by Guinness.
It is part of a two-year €88million global scheme Raising The Bar scheme by parent company Diageo.
Pubs and bars will be able register their interest in securing financial support for equipment to implement social distancing and confidence-building measures.
Diageo chief Ivan Menezes called on governments around the world to help the trade.
“Pubs and bars sit at the heart of every community.
“We are calling on governments around the world to provide long-term recovery packages to help hospitality.
“It plays an essential role in bringing people together to socialise and celebrate - something that we have all missed so much during this terrible crisis - and sustain hundreds of millions of jobs, often providing a first foot on the employment ladder for young people.”
Oliver Loomes, managing director of Diageo Ireland, added: “The hospitality sector in Ireland requires long-term investment and support to get back up and running.
“Not only has the financial impact to their business been significant, but they have missed their place at the centre of Ireland’s social fabric.
“Through this 14 million euro Raising The Bar Fund, our ambition is to support pubs in Ireland in welcoming back customers in the safest possible way, when they are ready to do so.
“It is more important than ever to work with our partners to create a safe and sustainable night time economy together.
“This fund is our commitment to the future of the local pub in Ireland.
“It will also be essential for the authorities on this island to work together with our industry to build both a safe and a sustainable hospitality and bar sector”.
One of the pubs that could be in line for support is Paddy Cullen’s in south Dublin.
The popular bar has already installed various social distancing measures ahead of reopening.
Assistant manager Mariusz Brzyk said it was hard to know how business would look in a post-lockdown world.
“It’s hard to say, it’s hard to even guess at the moment,” he said.
“I believe people will come back. It will not be the same as it was before but I would really like to see people come back. I have missed it.”
Bar owners across the island of Ireland will be able to register their interest for the Raising the Bar programme via www.mydiageo.com
