One of the first rural pub licence transfers under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 took place yesterday when a court approved the opening of a liquor store just off Dublin's Grafton Street.
Berry Brothers and Rudd (Ireland) Ltd, who operate a wine shop in Harry Street, off Grafton street, bought the liquor and beer licence of the Corner Bar in Ballyshannon and owners Mr Martin McGlynn and Mr Paul McDevitt agreed to extinguishment so it could be transferred, Dublin District Court heard.
Mr Tom Morgan, for Berry Brothers and Rudd, said the new law meant a licence could be bought for between £100,00 and £150,000 rather than a £1 million needed on average to buy a publican's licence off an adjoining premises on Grafton Street.