The National Off-Licence Association say a decrease in turnover in 2013 is a worrying trend.
Roughly 60% of existing Off-Licences could go out of business within the next year and a half if the government does not stop imposing excise duty increases on alcohol.
NOffLA claim that this, along with below-cost selling, is crippling the industry and promoting black market booze sales.
“The results of the 2014 member’s survey starkly illustrate the impact of current Government policy and how it is leading to the destruction of local businesses all across the country,” said Evelyn Jones, Chairperson NOffLA.
“Increasing excise duty does not discourage alcohol consumption, rather it contributes to unemployment, promotes criminal activity and removes all public health controls.
“We are calling on the Government to reintroduce a ban on below cost selling of alcohol and provide security to the 92,000 jobs associated with the alcohol industry while ensuring a more effective means of reducing alcohol consumption.”
H/T BreakingNews.ie
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