Nearly 36 per cent of the capital's pubs had annual sales of over €1.25 million, reflecting a trend toward larger premises and higher staff numbers, writes Colm Keena

A picture of the licensed-premises sector that includes a large number of small, low-turnover businesses emerged from the latest survey commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group.

However, the survey revealed a sharp difference between the sector in Dublin and the rest of the State.

Sales have increased by approximately 55 per cent in the period since 1999. Average turnover in the latest survey was found to be €383,377, compared with €245,982 in 1999, based on current prices.

The survey found there was a significant increase in wages and salaries as a percentage of turnover.

It also found that Dublin public houses tended to have a much higher turnover than non-Dublin public houses and also tended to be much larger.

The study was conducted in the autumn of 2003. It found that just more than 54 per cent of licensed premises had an annual turnover of less than €200,000 and that 11 per cent had a turnover of less than €30,000. Only 5 per cent of premises had an annual turnover of €1.25 million or more.

However, in Dublin, nearly 36 per cent of public houses had sales of more than €1.25 million. Also, 2.9 per cent of public houses in Dublin had a turnover of more than €4 million. This compared with 1.1 per cent in 1999.

The survey found that 9.1 per cent of Dublin public houses had a turnover of between €2.5 million and €4 million. This compared with 5.2 per cent in 1999.

The higher turnovers in Dublin "reflects the trend for much larger premises in Dublin with relatively high average staff numbers", according to the report. Of the 11,559 licensed premises in the State, approximately 1,000 are in Co Dublin.

In terms of size, the survey found that 19.8 per cent of public houses had a area of 2,000 sq ft or more. In Dublin, however, the equivalent figure was 50.2 per cent.

For all types of licensed premises, the survey found that 8.2 per cent had a retailing space of less than 250 sq ft and 19.7 per cent had a space of between 250 and 500 sq ft.

The sector was found to employ approximately 100,220 staff, including proprietors. This represented an increase of 28 per cent since the previous survey and included a 38 per cent rise in the numbers in full-time employment. The vast majority of licensed premises (90.6 per cent) were found to be independently or family-owned, an increase since the 1999 survey. In the case of public houses, 94.6 per cent were owned independently, with 5.2 per cent being part of a chain.

The survey found that a predominantly male clientele was more commonly the pattern outside Dublin.

Some 15.6 per cent of Dublin respondents had a more than 75 per cent male clientele, while the equivalent figure was 29.8 per cent for outside Dublin.

The respondents were asked about issues of concern to them in relation to their business. The right to refuse to serve was considered to be an issue of vital importance for 64.6 per cent of respondents. All public-house respondents in Dublin said it was at least a very important right for them.

Overall, the issues of concern were, in order of importance: the smoking ban; the restrictions on children; the right to refuse to serve; changes to the opening hours; separate smoking areas; identity cards; the cost of insurance; VAT; and the price of alcohol. The survey was conducted prior to the introduction of the smoking ban.

The survey was based on a sample of 710 respondents from a population of 11,559 fully licensed premises. More than 70 per cent were public houses, with the rest being hotels, clubs, nightclubs, etc.

The survey is the most comprehensive of the sector to date and was conducted by Mr Anthony Foley of Dublin City University, and the ESRI. The Drinks Industry Group represents manufacturers, distributors and retailers of alcoholic beverages.