A survey by the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) has found that 84% of publicans report that no family members wish to inherit their pub.
The finding comes as the VFI's benchmarking survey also showed that 37% of publicans are considering retirement within the next two years.
The group described these figures as a "a worrying trend" for the future of the pub trade and warned that rising costs in the industry are putting the viability of the pub trade at risk.
The VFI said "unsustainable labour costs and the escalating overall cost of doing business, is forcing many publicans to consider retirement".
CEO of the VFI Pat Crotty said the increase in labour costs, due to the planned introduction of the living wage by the beginning of 2026, will be "unsustainable".
""If we move to a living wage within 18 months, bank holiday pay will be almost €35 per hour for our most junior staff," he said.
"Such costs are simply unsustainable for our members and could severely impact the ability of pubs across Ireland to operate viably," he added.
According to the VFI’s study 36% of pub turnover is "currently consumed by labour costs alone and that figure will increase to over 40% with the introduction of a Living Wage".
84% of publicans say family do not want to inherit pub
A survey by the Vintners Federation of Ireland has found that 84% of publicans report that no family members wish to inherit their pub.
