An Saoránach

RTÉ.ie are reporting that a new Report  on Licensed Premises has been published. The report was carried out by the Business School in DCU. The most starting figure is that 1500 pubs or niteclubs have closed their doors in the past number of years. Some of the main reasons cited for these closures included falling revenues, more stringent Drink Driving Laws and the Smoking Ban.

To me, the funny thing about this is that despite having 1500 pubs or clubs closed, we  still have an endless choice of where to go and drink in this country. Take the example of my town of Kells; I would guesstimate that there at least 25 pubs in the town with a population of roughly 5000. That’s one pub for every 200 people.

They cite falling revenues as one the principal reasons why some of these licensed premises have had to close. Well of course its a  reason, why would anyone frequent a place which charges over €7 for a vodka and coke when you can buy a bottle of Vodka in your local off-license for around €21. The very fact that pubs think its ok to charge on average €3 for the tiny bottle of coke shows that those running licenses premises in this country have lost the run of themselves.

Add to this, the habit of a lot of niteclubs increasing the prices after a certain time of night really shows the lack of business acumen most publicans have. No wonder you see girls with naggons of vodka in their handbags! I readily accept that there are governmental levies applied to all drinks but the mark ups being charged by pubs and clubs is a bleeding disgrace.

If pubs and niteclubs want us to start frequenting their establishments again, they need to make their drinks value for money. Offering €3 a pint is fine, but why charge people who dont drink pints full whack  their spirit and a dash. Come on!!

Then again, as I said earlier and on previous posts, the Irish people have too many pubs to choose from as it is. The Irish addiction to drink needs to be broken.