A POPULAR Limerick City pub has announced it will shut its doors later this year, calling last orders on Christmas Eve.
Jono Crute, owner of Crew Brewing Company on Thomas Street, made the announcement on the pub’s Instagram page this Friday afternoon (October 31).
Addressing local customers, Mr Crute started off by attributing “the same challenges as everybody in the industry currently” to the sudden closure, along with “rising costs and less money in the pockets of our customers”.
He also said the removal of the parklet outside the business earlier this month was “the final blow” to the business.
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“We had intended to fight through these issues as we always have,” Mr Crute explained, adding that the parklet’s removal impacted his “mental capacity to fight on” for the popular pub’s future.
Earlier this month, the Council received criticism for the speed at which it removed parklets outside a number of businesses in the city centre.
Speaking to councillors at a recent Metropolitan District meeting, Director of Services Kieran Lehane said “the temporary parklets were installed five years ago as a temporary measure to assist with the local economy’s recovery during and post Covid lockdowns”.
“All temporary parklets were located within the public realm,” Mr Lehane told the Metropolitan meeting, rather than on any business’ private property.
“The temporary structures were intended to last for one year, but the Council allowed them to remain for an extended period.”
“In response to requests from local businesses, the Council has received submissions from the public and elected members about their deteriorating condition, adverse visual appearance, their use for outdoor smoking areas with attendant associated litter and, more recently, anti-social behaviour”, Mr Lehane added at the time, explaining that alternative solutions were now being prepared.
Addressing regulars in his social media post this Friday, Mr Crute said: “I’d encourage you all to keep minding each other and keep drinking independent beer where you can.”