Two in every five (42%) food pubs in Dublin plan to reduce their staff count if the lower VAT rate for food is delayed until 2026, according to a new survey from the Licensed Vintners’ Association (LVA). A further one in ten (10%) food pubs will also consider putting a stop to serving food altogether, with a similar number planning to reduce the number of items served on their menus should the promised VAT reduction not proceed. “As the results of this survey highlight, food pubs throughout Dublin – as well as the wider hospitality sector – continue to feel the burden from the government-imposed higher VAT rate on food,” said Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA. Seven out of ten food pubs also note that they have had to reduce the number of dishes served on their menus since the higher rate of VAT took effect. Twenty per cent (20%) of Dublin’s food pubs don’t serve food on Mondays, with 19% not serving food on Tuesdays.