Hundred Galway pubs will be left without a licence

More than 100 County Galway pubs will not be in a position to renew their licences next September because they will not have their tax affairs in order.

A downward spiral in trade has resulted in around a quarter of all of Galway’s publicans not being able to settle with the revenue commissioners or meet their rates bills. There are around 450 pubs across Galway city and county.

The high cost of drink over the counter coupled with huge unemployment has resulted in the pub trade encountering a bleak period of late and many publicans say that their trade is now reduced to just one night a week.

Overheads like rates and the cost of satellite television have not reduced during the recession and many of them are unable to settle up with the revenue commissioners.

In order for publicans to renew their licences, they must furnish a tax clearance certificate and ensure that they have their commercial rates paid to Galway County Council.

Many rural pubs are struggling to meet these requirements and may have to rely on temporary tax clearance certs in order to remain open.

However, these will only give breathing space to publicans for a year and after this period they must find the money to settle their affairs or else close down completely.

Former Vintners Federation of Ireland President, Paul O’Grady, said that it was estimated that between 20% and 25% of County Galway publicans would not be in a position to reapply for their annual licence because of their financial circumstances.

He said that many pubs in rural County Galway were operating on “a wing and a prayer” and would not be able to meet with the legal requirements in order to obtain a renewal of their licences.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.