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LAST UPDATE | 1 Jul 2021
‘TIRED’ WOULD BE the best word to describe how we in the hospitality industry are feeling today.
Perhaps ‘exhausted’ would be better, however, that would be a bit too dramatic a way to encompass the long, drawn-out, and ultimately inevitable decision made by the Government to further delay the reopening of indoor hospitality.
One thing we are not is surprised. Over the last 15 months, we have become used to being used as scapegoats and guinea pigs, seemingly responsible for enabling the spread of this virus, like no other sector of society.
And all this despite huge cost, both financial and emotional, that has been borne at every level from owners and directors to chefs and dishwashers, that we are expected to swallow in the face of ‘the greater good’.
On the face of it, our own business has blossomed during the pandemic, opening two new locations and giving a facelift to our original Bachelors Walk café. However, all the way we have had tough decisions to make, like shutting our city centre locations in the face of Level 5 restrictions, telling loyal staff members that they face an undefined period of temporary lay-off, or having to offer a reduction in salary to others.
A long road through Covid
There have been small victories, like receiving a letter from a regular customer in your local area telling you how the positivity and welcome of your remaining team is the only thing that made them smile that day.
But even that comes at a cost; in deciding to stay open and service the community that supports you, you must weigh that up against the slim profit margins and the personal responsibility you have to keep your own staff members safe and healthy in the face of this virus.
Over the past month, we have been working day and night planning for the 5 July as our date for things to go back to some semblance of normal. We have been hiring and training new team members, working with suppliers and bringing new software systems, including reservations, HR, HACCP, stock control, etc online to make the transition as seamless and safe as possible.
We have been cleaning long-unused floors, bathrooms and shelves, polishing glassware and cutlery, rearranging chairs and tables, servicing dusty equipment.
Reopening is not just about flicking the lights back on, it takes days and weeks of planning and hard work, which now seem completely wasted. There is also the huge cost around all of this work being done. Our wage bill has significantly increased over the last month to cover all this planning, and organising. Who is footing this bill?
The level of financial support extended by Government to individuals and businesses to assist us during this time has been a lifeline. However at this stage we don’t want this security anymore.
Lack of clarity
We want to run and grow our businesses as we used to, without any handouts. The personal satisfaction of doing this successfully has been completely lost.
What has been hugely lacking is clarity and communication. Like everybody else we have received the majority of our information through watching news reports and reading the papers, leaving us totally guessing.
This is not the first time that the rug has been pulled from under us at the 11th hour, but every time we must meet each new date and deadline with perfect execution, and a hope and optimism that is becoming harder and harder to muster.
Not to mention that we as hospitality professionals are now expected to be Covid experts without so much as a phone call of support or guidance from the HSE or any governing body.
I am not privy to the information provided to Government, and I am sure that this decision was not an easy one to make. However they are there to make these tough decisions, it’s what they were elected to do.
I understand that because of the nature of this virus situations change and evolve rapidly, but these repeated knee-jerk reactions and pushing out of dates shows a staggering lack of foresight and planning.
And the most recent half-baked mutterings about indoor dining exclusively for the vaccinated only serve to confuse the situation further. There is no system in place for such a proposal, and ultimately the responsibility to enforce it would fall on the businesses themselves. We have pivoted enough already without having to be judge and jury to our patrons as well.
If we are to open, let us open. If we are not, then let us know. Treat us with the same care and respect you are extending to the most vulnerable in society. We are vulnerable too, and some of us will not survive.
Rachel Keane is the owner of the Póg Café Group. For more, see Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok.
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According to Donnelly the government only got the analysis from NPHET the night before Tuesday’s announcement, seems incredible
@Damo: Yet Donnelly works in same building as NPHET apparently yet he had not a scooby do what was coming. Sounds about right actually. Incompetent.
@Gavin Mckenna: and you are actually surprised!??
@Damo: I think that is the height of the incompetence. Had they engaged with the government and sector in the weeks prior to the announcement on draft plans to introduce more measures, that perhaps incorporated a week further delay in reopening, that at least would have been something. They are right to feel utter contempt and betrayal.
I’m not voting for the nphet party in the elections….
@a.l: lol hilarious
If government done this to farmers there would be civil war
@Random_paddy:
Farmers are essential workers.
@Just Some Guy: Every worker is essential to whichever business employs them.
this is the question. the decision not to reopen could have been made last week. this last minute no plan decision making is ridiculous
@ed w: then people would say .. why didn’t you wait a week before making that decision…. Can’t win.
I would suggest that if NPHET knew that they were concerned that it may be as late as September to be safe in their minds that they feared they absolutely should have been communicarubg this to give long before this week
@Dave Hammond: the thing is if they said nothing opens until september I assume most businesses that dont own their premises would just liquidate. stop paying any rent and commercial rents would fall even further and commercial landlords would be left with loads of empty properties. which is why we get the yes no maybe opening scenario. its dreadful behaviour from the government really.
The person who profits from the business when things are going well should be the person who foots the bill when they aren’t.
@Ciaran Burke: Went out for a few pints in Dundalk last night, two pubs, both only accepting cash. My Daughter had the same experience in three pubs the night before while out celebrating with her friends post leaving cert. Pubs all had good crowds. The barman in one of the pubs said it was so the landlord can continue to claim govt support. Great little country.
@Ciaran Burke: @Ciaran Burke: you do realise that it is not the choice or decision of any business owner in the hospitality sector to stay closed or to open under restrictive guidelines which hugely impact on their income all while still paying bills and wages. You think owners should foot the bills while suffering massive income losses through no fault of their own! I see a ‘toxic comment’ alert coming on if I was to truthfully reply to your comment
@Rex Tilson: Personally I’ll take that comment with a pinch of salt. But if you were worried or annoyed about it maybe get the facts from the owner not the barman. In fairness I wouldn’t blame them. I know some here can only hold a dozen customers or less so how the hell are they expected to make any money. Its just ridiculous. Especially when going on to use toilets you are passing through large empty lounge with safety measures in place. By the way a lot of small family owned pubs are still trying to access supports!
@Ciaran Burke: With what their earnings from the last 17 months. Ah no that’s right they were mostly all closed!!!
@Ger Power: Same here!!
@Ciaran Burke: what a comment. You obviously know sweet f/a about running a business.
@Ciaran Burke: Exactly this.. Why should it always be the case that someone else has to pay the bill then things go wrong. Running a business is always full of risks.. Thankfully, for a well run business, the good times outweigh the bad times but it can’t always be good.
@Franny Ando: You might be a little naive there Franny or maybe have a connection to the industry. Amazing that 5 different pubs in the same town over two nights cant take electronic payments My brother has a pub. Like everyone else has been closed. He has no interest in opening up as long as the govt payments keep coming. My other brother is a taxi driver, he’s desperate to get back to work because he isnt receiving a large weekly payment. Most of us have lost out financially over the last year or so, sure we should all see what we can scam out of the system. My wife is a nurse, she’s exhausted, sure maybe she should pretend to be sick to get a deserved break, sure who could blame her.
@Ciaran Burke: Not when the bad times are a direct result of questionable government policy. We are the only country in Europe where you cannot dine indoors. That’s because of our terrible health system (decades of mismanagement) and our spineless and incompetent ‘government’.
@Rex Tilson: Two family members with pubs, one rural one in town, both still struggling to get supports. Rural would get barely a dozen customers a day. The other quiet weekdays busier weekends. Neither have got a chance to open neither have outdoor space. At the moment the family concensus( town) is to not reopen as they can’t afford to carry on. Unlike your brother they both want to open up.My son is a nurse, another a healthcare assistant others involved too they are always exhausted, long before covid, due to a neglected health service. The difference is they have a salary every month the others don’t and haven’t for over 17 months. I don’t know if what you say is true regarding Dundalk but what I do know is these businesses should all be allowed to open and open now.
@Franny Ando: By the way those involved in hospitals and healthcare worked the ba-lls of themselves all through covid as I’m sure your wife did too. Above and beyond at times but even they agree its time to ease these restrictions.
@Franny Ando: Your missing my point completely, I have no doubt your family members in the pub game are struggling and I have no doubt those within the health service are exhausted (and underappreciated and underpaid by society). I have no opinion as to how society should be opened up as I dont have the expertise. What I do know is that many in society are completely taking the piss and profiting in every way they can while others are doing their level best to help us get through this pandemic. I would include your family members in the category of those doing their bit to get through this.
With regard to opening up, I dont know what is the right approach. But IF we open up now and the delta variant becomes WIDESPREAD and if it causes the death or deaths of some people who would have survived if people were deprived of socialising for another few months do you think the economic gain was worth their deaths.
@Alan Lynch: Its capitalism you take the risk of setting up a business if it takes off you become wealthy. If it fails you lose it. There you go business 101 . I’m here all week if you need further instructions.
@Will: so we privatise the profit and socialize the losses? Look I want them to get back to business but why should the tax payer foot the bill for private business. Also I’m not been bad pubs rob people 6/7 quid a pint or short surely they have savings to pull from you’re right we are but the others have their vaccine on track we don’t. Our health system is mismanaged you are right again but I would rather be cautious in reopening than go back to square 1, with 5km lockdown.
Remind me.
Weren’t restaurants fully open in Ireland last summer? How many people died of covid from July to September? How does thst number compare with the NPHET best case scenario?
@Lesidees: Great question, but we probably wont be told as it doesn’t matter to NEPHT or Gov these days they have no clue as to what to do, but genuinely good question
Im going to Austria next week. Since May, Anyone wanting to visit restaurants, hotels and take part in events, etc, need to do so pursuant to the so-called ‘3G Rule’ ‘Getestet, Geimpft, Genesen’ (Tested, Vaccinated, Recovered) – the three ways someone can provide evidence they are “immune”.
The rule applies for everyone over the age of 12 in Austria, although in Vienna it applies from the age of six.
Paper evidence was accepted up until the Covid pass was in place.
It’s a bit of a pain as my daughter who is 13 will have to be tested – antigen or PCR every few days. However this is generally free for residents and tourists. But everywhere is open!!
@Caroline Mantl: I’m in Italy right now and everywhere is open without any need to show proof of vaccination or proof of a covid test. Had my dentist appointment booked in case there were any guards at the airport. Fortunately there were none.
@AnnaAnna.: maybe that’s why Italy and Austria have higher death rates than Ireland. (Italy 2113 per 1m pop; Austria 1182; Ireland 999)
@Padraig Looby: they’ve been opened since the 1st June. A population of 60 million and their daily cases hovering between 700-900. They’ve seen no spike. We all know italy had it bad last year, so your cumulative figure reveals nothing. Their population is 12 times ours. 60 mill vs 5 mill.
@Padraig Looby: Nothing at all to do with Italy having the highest percentage of their population in Europe over 70 and Ireland having the lowest for a virus with a median death age of 83 now would it? Also Italy got hit hard very early and everyone else in Europe had time to get measures on place to avoid that. Not much they could of done about that and it could of been anyone.
@AnnaAnna.: I think you missed the point.. death rates quoted are per million population. Italy is more than twice ours. Best of luck to you and everyone in Italy but I know where I’d rather have been for the past 16 months and it ain’t Italy.
Who cares. All that matters is that the pharmacutical companies are exporting. The paupers can continue on hand outs. They should count themselves lucky to have a government that finances their lives.
Elephant in the room is alcohol and our relationship with it. Europe can open because they socialise in restaurants and cafes to meet up, eat & get together. They drink but do not socialise to get drunk. By the way I enjoy a drink & am in no way anti alcohol just the abuse of it. The unvaccinated staff will just happen to be sober & therefore much more likely to observe social distance measures while those drinking much more likely to become complacent.
@The Mrs O’B: There are night clubs currently open all across Europe and the world. Using your logic no one in these night clubs gets drunk? The Irish relationship with drink is the same as nearly every other country in the world. These are excuses based on opinion with zero facts.
@Diarmuid O’Braonáin: her argument also doesn’t hold up when Texas and Florida are taken into account. Opened for months without any restrictions, dropped mask mandates and all social distancing. Florida had no spike in cases after Spring Break. Definitely not a sober, controlled crowd. They also opened when their vaccination rates were much lower than what ours are now
@Diarmuid O’Braonáin: her argument also doesn’t hold up when Texas and Florida are taken into account. Opened for months without any restrictions, dropped mask mandates and all social distancing. Florida had no spike in cases after Spring Break. Definitely not a sober, controlled crowd. They also opened when their vaccination rates were much lower than what ours are now.
@Diarmuid O’Braonáin: some may of course but it’s not the objective the same way it is here. I’ve lived and socialised abroad and here & have gone to plenty of night clubs in both and they couldn’t be more different not least the lack of messy drunks all over the place. It’s socially unacceptable in Europe apart from the tourist resorts we happen to frequent en masse – or mess for that matter
@AnnaAnna.: MIAMI — Variant COVID-19 infections skyrocketed following spring break in Florida and there have been more than 10,000 variant cases reported throughout the state, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported based on data from the Florida Department of Health.
@The Mrs O’B: I have been in nightclubs in numerous areas across the world and drunk people in every one of them. open the country and move on.
@The Mrs O’B: I never seen anyone fall out of Costa after a latte and a scone
@The Mrs O’B: Ive never seen anyone come out of Costa pissed drunk after a latte and a tea cake lol
This bill needs to be addressed by the state. It’s a bill they created.
Wishing your business continued success. My teenage son and I were so impressed by your staff in Bray on Tuesday. My son dropped a tenner as he paid for his food and your staff kindly came to find us on the seafront to return the money to my son. It was a lovely example of great service and also doing something kind for a stranger and being honest, it’s good for teens to see that being modelled by other young dudes. He is an absolute credit to your business. I didn’t get his name but it was Tuesday lunchtime.
I feel desperately sorry and sad for all involved.
Its a tough one – my Dad points out that the scientists weren’t elected so they shouldn’t be dictating our moves. However, in my case, I’d rather be safe then sorry. Like my Dad I’ve had two Jabs and though neither of us would venture into a restaurant or a bar at the moment, I think the hospitality sector should be allowed trade with all those fully vaccinated.
I cant understand though why we weren’t on the ball with the Digital Vax certificates – and for that I blame the Government.
It is so so tough in hospitality but like the article above states they are not COVID experts and to control large group settings indoors safely in the face of the the Delta variant which can linger in the air in a room fir 17 hours and spread between sun infected snd non in 5-10 seconds they would need to be COVID experts. That would even be a very difficult situation for an infection control doctor or nurse . If you have a limited spaced area , no proper ventilation (a door open or a window open is not adequate you need a current so openings on at least two sides of each room ) its the virus calling the changes snd Nphet as highly qualified practitioners are adapting . This variant is 60% more transmissible than the Uk variant and the Kent variant was 60% more so than the original .
@Mary O Dwyer: Stay safe Mary. Make sure you have plenty of water in your bunker, tis horrid warm out
@Mary O Dwyer: Stay safe Mary. Make sure you have plenty of water in your bunker, tis horrid warm out.
@Darren Lambe: Darren running others down and sneering is not good for health .. I’m in dingle as you sneer.. on holidays … not a bunker in sight !
@Mary O Dwyer: that’s right Ireland is the only country in the world dealing with the Delta variant. Those scary stats are very scary
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