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Statement on B and B status

Following An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar’s Post Cabinet Statement on the 24th March, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has made a statement in relation to B&B’s and Self Catering Accommodation:

'The NPHET recommendations approved by Cabinet on the 24th March state that ‘all holiday/caravan parks are closed’ and ‘all hotels are limited to non-social and non-tourist occupancy’. While this doesn’t explicitly specify self-catering parks/facilities and B&Bs, our understanding is that they would be included under this, especially given the direction from An Taoiseach that “no unnecessary travel should take place within the country or overseas”.

Spike in meal deliveries

Online food delivery service Deliveroo has seen an 80% spike in the number of restaurants using the platform in the last two weeks in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. deliveroo0220

More than 100 restaurants have signed up to the Deliveroo service as they transition from dine-in to delivery-only in a bid to keep their businesses going during the pandemic.

To manage this increased demand, Deliveroo has re-assigned teams of people across the business to onboard new restaurant partners and support restaurants who want to carry out deliveries but have no previous experience. The company has also dropped its new-restaurant onboarding fee.

Doyle closes all hotels

The Doyle Collection has announced that it has temporarily suspended operations at all of its properties due to COVID-19. wstbury0320

The group issued a statement saying, "At this point in time, bookings on a fully flexible basis may be made at our hotels for dates from May 18th onwards.

"Thank you for your loyalty and support. We truly look forward to welcoming you as a valued Discovery member to one of our hotels soon again.

"In the meantime, on behalf of the entire team at The Doyle Collection, we hope that you, your colleagues, family and friends remain safe and healthy during the coming period."

The Doyle Collection operates Dublin's Westbury and Croke Park hotels, Cork's River Lee hotel, London's Marylebone, Bloomsbury and Kensington hotels, The Bristol hotel in Bristol, and The Dupont Circle hotel in Washington DC.

Wetherspoon asks for bills delay

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon wants to suspend payments to its Irish food and drink suppliers and has paused its developments on new sites in Dublin, Galway and Waterford. fortyft0320

In an email message to suppliers, chairman Tim Martin asks them to hold off payment demands until the London Stock Exchange-listed group's bars are back in business.

"We are asking for a moratorium on payments until the pubs reopen, at which point we intend to clear outstanding payments within a short time frame," Mr Martin writes.

"We understand this puts significant pressure on our suppliers, but we are kindly asking for your assistance during this very difficult period.

"A number of our suppliers have already offered assistance and we would be most grateful for your co-operation as well."

Flogas backs 'Cuppa' campaign

Flogas, as Official Energy Partner to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, is supporting its new #CallThemForACuppa campaign, launched to encourage the public to phone thos menssheds0320 e who are socially isolated during COVID-19. Many older people have socially isolated themselves to reduce the risk of contracting the virus and the Irish Men’s Sheds Association is highlighting that while people can’t call in, they can make a phone call.

Barry Sheridan, chief executive of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, said, “We’re delighted to have Flogas as our energy partner for LPG, natural gas and electricity as we always say that the ‘kettle is the most important tool in the shed’. A key part of any day in a shed is gathering around the table, having a cup of tea and a chat. The next time you’re sitting down for a cuppa, think of someone who is at risk of social isolation and give them a call.”