OFF-LICENCES around the State will be asked by their representative organisation to gather customers’ signatures for a national petition against the reduction in their trading hours.
Off-licences have had to close at 10pm nightly since last summer when the Intoxicating Liquor Act brought their closing time back from 12.30am.
About four off-licences in Dublin, including Redmond’s in Ranelagh and Devaney’s in Rathmines, are already gathering signatures against the 10pm curfew.
Jimmy Redmond, co-owner of Redmond’s, said the petition began last Friday “because we are listening to our customers”.
Over 300 signatures have been gathered there.
“People are coming in off the street to sign it. They’re annoyed and saying ‘It’s about time’ ’’, said Mr Redmond.
“Everyone is saying they’ve been caught by the earlier closing time and they want something more reasonable back.”
Jim McCabe, chairman of the National Off-Licence Association, said he was supportive of the move by the Dublin off-licences and hoped others across the State would follow.
“Our members are very strongly reporting back to us that not only are we down on business but our customers are very annoyed.
“They are annoyed they can’t buy a bottle of wine or a few beers after 10pm. And tourists can’t understand it at all,” said Mr McCabe.
“We will be sending out what you might call a petition pack, or an election pack really, to members to get them to gather signatures.
“This is an issue, given the fact it’s election time, that candidates should be taking seriously.
“The reduction in trading hours has not reduced alcohol abuse.
“It has just annoyed people,” said Mr McCabe.
