DOZENS of pubs in Northern Ireland will join others from across the island simultaneously switching on their Christmas lights this Friday (November 20) at 5pm to highlight their readiness for a safe reopening.
Hospitality Ulster and industry bodies in the Republic have joined forces with the Guinness €14m 'Raising the Bar' fund to launch #KEEPTHELIGHTSON.
They say turning on their lights early ahead of the crucial Christmas period not only highlights the place of local pubs in the fabric of society, but also the struggle that publicans, bar-staff and their families are facing in order to keep the lights on.
In many villages and townlands, the local pub may be the only beacon of light on dark winter nights. Their prolonged closure due to Covid-19 enforced lockdowns serves as a physical reminder of the impact Covid-19 has had not just on the pub-trade and wider hospitality industry but also on communities up and down the country.
The financial impact of the pub closures has been hugely significant, with wet-led pubs in Northern Ireland allowed to open for only four out of the last 37 weeks after enduring several delays to reopening over the course of the summer.
Around 1,200 pubs located across Northern Ireland were forced to close again on Friday October 16 and will remain closed until November 27 or possibly even later.
As part of the campaign, eight “beacon” pubs across Ireland, including the Garrick in Belfast, have already been lit up with support from the Guinness Raising the Bar fund.
Hospitality Ulster chief executive Colin Neill said: “Pubs have invested heavily in ensuring their outlets are ready to reopen safely, and all these locals want is the chance to do so in time for Christmas.
“As part of this joint campaign with the Guinness Raising the Bar fund we hope the public will also show their support for a safe reopening of their local as we enter a Christmas period that will be decisive in keeping the lights on for pubs in Northern Ireland.”
