‘It’s not good enough’: Mayor seeks ‘emergency meeting’ over Limerick pub closure in parklet row

MAYOR John Moran said he is “dismayed” at a planned city centre brewery closure and is seeking an “emergency meeting” to find a solution.

Jono Crute, owner of Crew Brewing Company on Thomas Street, announced on Friday it will cease trading after five years of serving as a hub for local beer lovers.

READ NEXT: 'Final blow to the business' viability': Beloved Limerick city pub to close after parklet removal

One of the major reasons for the pub's closure is the recent removal of the parklet outside the premises by Limerick City and County Council. The build-out was installed at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Crute said it was "quite a devastating decision" to make.

"We are unfortunately closing for good on Christmas Eve this year. We were facing the same challenges as everybody in the industry currently - rising costs and less money in the pockets of our customers. 

“We had intended to fight through these issues as we always have but the removal of the parklet without notice and without a succession plan was the final blow to the business' viability and to my mental capacity to fight on. Thank you to every one of you for the support over the years,” he wrote on social media.

Mayor Moran, in a statement, expressed his dismay at the plan by a city centre pub and microbrewery to close.

He said the removal without notice or consultation by the council of a covered parklet allowing customers to gather outside the premises “should never have happened”.

READ ALSO: Limerick businessman fears for future after parklets removed without warning

Mayor Moran paid tribute to the business, saying that in a short time it had become a beloved venue.

He confirmed that council officials had indeed removed the parklet, and did so without consulting anyone -- including him.

“This should never have happened, I’m very unhappy about it,” said the mayor.

He added: “It’s not good enough. Earlier this month we had robust discussions internally about how the parklets came to be removed without discussion, and I’m hopeful there won’t be a recurrence.

“Removing the parklets is inconsistent with my vision for Limerick. I warned a fortnight ago that, if not done carefully and replaced by something better, there could be serious economic consequences. The announcement by Crew Brew strengthens my view.”

On October 17, Mayor Moran wrote to Cllr Peter Doyle, the Chair of the economic Special Policy Group, who he said also was not consulted, asking for an urgent review of the matter.

The mayor noted that Crew Brew said it did not plan to close until Christmas Eve, almost two months from now. 

“This gives me hope. I am ready to facilitate an urgent meeting between council officials across several directorates and all the impacted businesses in the area, including Crew Brew, to see if a solution can be found.”