Off licences were deemed an essential service when lockdown measures were announced two weeks ago and some owners have reported a 25pc surge in sales since. This surge will reach new heights today as pandemic measures will see off licences in store for a busy weekend yet again as pubs will remain closed. However, this uptake in business has been described as being “bittersweet” according to Mark Tormey, manager of The Wine Centre in Kilkenny. While he expects to have a busy Easter Weekend, he said that customers aren’t “stockpiling or having parties”. That’s not the way we like to see our business growing.”“It’s bittersweet, I appreciate being busy but I’d prefer if we were all open, rather than gaining from anybody else not being able to open their business,” he added.

Source: Irish Independent April 10, 2020 20:03 UTC