The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) has said that the deferral of opening indoor dining will directly affect over 400 of its members in the convenience and service station segment.
Indoor dining had been due to resume from 5 July but has now been pushed back until further notice.
Speaking on the deferral Vincent Jennings, CSNA CEO commented that, “CSNA have no wish to becoming embroiled in arguments on whether the delay is or is not warranted, our concern relates to ensuring that our interests are heard, as the representatives of Hospitality (restaurants, vintners and hotels) have different business models and are perhaps viewed as problematic due to the consumption of alcohol served on their premises”.
Jennings continued by stating that, “Our concerns are based on the fact that throughout and dwell-time in our seated areas are significantly different to the average time spent in hospitality outlets.
"We do not want to have potentially problematic administrative requirements such as demanding vaccination certificates from our customers, particularly in light of our experience of policing face coverings.”
Meeting With Minister English
Jennings noted that CSNA and its members will obviously accede to all Public Health directions but need to ensure that the difference between indoor seating in outlets that do not serve alcohol and those that do are fully appreciated and properly accommodated.
CSNA has confirmed that Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Damien English has agreed to meet with the affected businesses.
© 2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more Retail news click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
