Brexit disruption to the food services industry is likely to slow sales growth and complicate sourcing of ingredients, according to the annual Foodservice Market Insights report from Bord Bia, which sees a loss of British tourist trade and tougher UK supply chains as the top Brexit worries for food providers.
Consumers will spend €8.55bn on out-of-home food and drink this year, 4.5pc higher than in 2018, the report found - but slower growth of 4.2pc annually is forecast for the coming three years.
"The Irish food service industry has been growing at robust levels for several years, but warning signs are on the horizon," said Maureen Gahan, a food service specialist at Bord Bia."Industry operators, and food and drink suppliers alike should be examining options and alternative strategic plans in the event of a slowdown," she said.
The report said operators and distributors must keep "actively working to identify alternatives to sourcing products from the UK". It said: "This may include focusing more on Irish goods, as well as evaluating continental Europe or even North America as a source for certain products."
In June, Bono, the Edge and Paddy McKillen snr sold the leasehold of the hotel to Paddy McKillen jnr’s Press Up Group. However, the three men retain ownership of the hotel building which was leased to the operating group for €770,000 last year.
Point, near Cobh.
