Guinness launch fund to help publicans reopen

Standing with publicans of Ireland, Guinness has announced a new €14 million fund, called “Raising the Bar”, established to support the recovery of pubs across the Island of Ireland.

This is part of a Diageo global programme to support pubs and bars to welcome customers back and recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Raising the Bar” will be a two-year programme available from July 2020.

Through “Raising the Bar”, Diageo will provide $100 million to support the recovery of major hospitality centres, including New York, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Sydney and beyond.

Diageo designed the “Raising the Bar” programme following a global survey of bar owners to identify what they need to reopen after lockdown. 

Their top priorities include hygiene measures, digital support and practical equipment to transform how their outlets will work.

In Ireland, the “Raising the Bar” programme will be focussed on the provision of practical equipment and confidence building measures needed for outlets to reopen and operate on a safe and sustainable basis. 

Guinness will consult with the on-trade as to how best to direct future funding over the two year period.

From today, bar owners across all of Ireland will be able to register their interest for the “Raising the Bar” programme via www.mydiageo.com.

Bar owners will receive regular updates on best practice training and resources and be able to participate in global surveys to share insights, as they build back their businesses.