Kerry publicans ‘shocked’ at rates rise – ‘It’s driving good businesses into the ground’

Soaring commercial rates is causing stress and impacting the ability of Kerry publicans to continue trading according to the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) Kerry branch.

Publicans say following a rates review they are receiving commercial rates from Kerry County Council (KCC) that in many instances are double that of 2023.

A pub in rural West Kerry saw its rates go from €1,600 to €4,900, while another pub was hit by an increase of 150 per cent, going from €8,000 to €20,000.

Christy Walsh, Secretary of Kerry VFI, said a large number of publicans are being hit with unsustainable rate increases. He added that many publicans are ‘shocked’ by the dramatic increases.

“While publicans always accepted that a rates review was overdue, there is considerable shock at the level of increases, which are across the county from Listowel to Cahersiveen,” said Mr Walsh, a publican from Listowel.

He explained that a majority of Kerry publicans are extremely unhappy with how the council presented the review to business owners, stating that at no time were VFI members told that increases could be double existing charges.

“The council say that any publican unhappy with their new rates bill can appeal but that process is simply a rubber-stamping exercise that only further frustrates our members,” he said.

“The cost of doing business is now so high that these new rates bills are driving good businesses into the ground. Already this year we have to cope with a new minimum wage and enhanced sick pay so attempting to absorb another increase into the business is impossible,” Mr Walsh added.

He believes that Kerry County Council need to decide what sort of business community it wants in the county as without businesses there is no rates and without rates there is no services.

“The council must work with us to ensure pubs and other businesses survive,” Mr Walsh said.

In response to a motion tabled by Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae at Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council, it revealed that, following revaluation, 56 per cent of all its ratepayers received a decrease in their rates bills, with 44 per cent receiving an increase.

Of the ratepayers receiving a reduction, 80 per cent are in the rates band (€0-€5,000). The average reduction in this band is 23.5 per cent of 2023 rates, which rises to 26 per cent in the €0- €10,000 band. The latter cohort relates in the main to shops, workshops, small offices and small enterprises.

Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of Kerry County Council ratepayers are in the €0-€5,000 rates band.

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