Media Coverage – October 2024

Hospitality, tourism and retail firms hold Dublin protest

Hundreds of hospitality, tourism, retail, childcare and other small business owners and workers took part in a protest in Dublin over rising costs and what they claim is a lack of Government assistance.

It’s desperation’: Ireland’s restaurant industry facing crisis with daily closures

The Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) says an average of two restaurants, cafes or other food-led businesses are closing every day in a blow to the country’s independent hospitality industry. On Tuesday, the owners of restaurants, cafes and pubs marched in protest to the Irish parliament in frustration.

‘A perfect storm’ – Why so many Irish restaurants are closing

Irish chefs, food producers, and restaurants are winning acclaim worldwide. But despite the accolades, the sector is on shaky ground, with over 600 restaurant closures in the last year alone according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI).

‘We are like farmers going into winter without fodder’ – restaurants to protest over increased costs

Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), the sector’s representative group, says family-run restaurants are “under pressure”. “Things are extremely bad. We have seen 612 businesses closures in the last year and we will see another 1,000 in the next year,” he says.

‘We’re living week to week’: One restaurant owner on why he’ll be protesting at the Dáil today

Business owners from the hospitality and tourism sectors are set to hold a protest outside Leinster House this afternoon.

Protest to be held at Leinster House over costs faced by shops and restaurants

Businesses from the hospitality and retail sectors will march to Leinster House on Tuesday to highlight the high costs facing small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Former minister and broadcaster Ivan Yates will speak at the demonstration, organised by the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

Irish budget 2025: what it means for restaurants

The Irish Budget 2025 has been revealed, presenting both new opportunities and significant challenges for the restaurant industry. While the government has introduced several measures aimed at supporting small businesses and addressing the rising cost of living, the restaurant sector remains in a precarious position. Industry leaders, including Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI), have voiced concerns, particularly about the lack of comprehensive relief for hospitality businesses still grappling with rising costs.

‘You have to put the prices up if you want to survive’: Restaurants on Budget

FOOD BUSINESSES ANTICIPATE another year of “survival mode” as they didn’t get the VAT cut they’d hoped for in the Budget. The government has been accused of ignoring mass closures, as nearly 600 restaurants shut their doors in the last year, according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland.