News

Hoteliers welcome wage support

The Irish Hotels Federation has welcomed the Government’s new Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the enhanced COVID - 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the elaina0320 inclusion of the self-employed in this scheme and the provision of enhanced protections for people facing difficulties with their mortgages.

The IHF has also welcomed Government’s recognition of the role that hotels play in essential non-social and non-tourist services. President of the Irish Hotels Federation, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane called today’s measures as essential to tackling the public health crisis and at the same time providing necessary supports to those who have lost their jobs. But she warned that further sector specific measures will be required to ensure the recovery of tourism and other parts of the economy. “Today’s announcement is very welcome but it is not nearly enough to safeguard the future of the tourism sector,” she said.

Bloom Festival cancelled

Bord Bia has announced the cancellation of Bloom 2020 scheduled to take place from Thursday 28th of May to Monday 1st of June in the Phoenix Park. bloom0320

Following consultation with the relevant authorities, Bord Bia has made this decision in light of the unprecedented threat to public health presented by COVID-19. The health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors and staff is our number one priority. An event of Bloom’s scale requires many months of preparation involving a range of multi-disciplinary teamwork. This decision will be disappointing news for many and Bord Bia would like to pay tribute to the growers, designers, contractors, exhibitors and sponsors who have worked so hard on this year’s event.

Owner supports Center Parcs

Brookfield Asset Management, the Canadian fund that owns Center Parcs, says it is prepared to prop up the holiday parks operator, if required, during the Covid-19 crisis.

Center Parcs has also announced it is extending the closure of its Irish facility in Co Longford.

Center Parcs hosted a conference call with bond investors on Tuesday, during which it outlined its liquidity position, including its ability to pay interest to noteholders while Britain and Ireland remain under effective lockdown.

Martin Dalby, the chief executive of the UK holiday park group, told investors that Longford Forest, which it had previously announced would close until March 29th, would now stay shuttered until Thursday, April 16th.

However, the news was subsequently overtaken later on Tuesday by the Government’s announcement of the extension of lockdown restrictions until Sunday, April 19th.

Fast Food Chains announce closures

Supermacs, Starbucks, Costa, Behoffs, Krispy Kreme and Subway are among the restaurant and fast-food chains which have followed McDonalds by announcing closure of all their outlets in Ireland.

Supermacs said today that it will close all of its restaurants by Thurday March 26 at 7pm.

In its notice, Starbucks said the health of its customers and staff was of the “highest priority” so the decision was made to close.

Supermacs said it is closing due to the ever changing challenges presented by the health crisis and in the interests of its staff and customers.

By delaying the closure until Thursday, it said this would allow the emergency services that are using the outlets for food to make alternative arrangements.

Supermacs added that all seating areas in its lobbies will close from last night and remain closed.

Earlier, Costa Coffee, Krispy Kreme and SubWay said they would close their Irish outlets amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Costa Coffee said it was temporarily closing all its cafes here and in the UK today.

Krispy Kreme also said it would close its shop in Blanchardstown in Dublin from 6pm yesterday. The doughnut chain is also closing all of its UK outlets.

Beshoff Bros said it would be closing its stores – including its Howth site – until further notice but that people could still order from it online.

“We hope that everyone stays safe and healthy and we hope to open our doors to you all very soon,” it said.