Meath pub reverses prices by two years: 'It will feel like circa 2023 again'

Louise Walsh

A Meath pub owner has reversed prices by two years because they are 'fed up' with price hikes by suppliers.

The Royal Meath in Navan has reduced pints by 50c for three days a week on selected draught beers – a move that is getting a huge reaction.

In a post, the owners said: "For almost 60 years, we have been serving the people of Navan great drinks, while offering value for money.

"This has been made more and more difficult to do that with not one but three price hikes from suppliers over the past few months.

"To try and make things a bit easier on our customers' pockets, we are offering a 50c discount on pints of Guinness, Heineken, Coors, Carlsberg, Harp, Rockshore Lager and Smithwicks from Monday to Thursday! (The pub is closed on a Tuesday).

"It will feel like circa 2023 again! So support your local publicans and call into us mid-week for a bit of banter and a pint!"

Pub owner Peter Geraghty said the move was taken to help customers but also to ensure the survival of the town centre premises which is also known a regular music venue.

"It's a constant rethink by publicans to keep those doors open with all the rising overheads," he said.

"A lot of places have turned into gastro pubs. We serve a few pizzas but largely we hold onto our traditional style, which has largely kept all its charm since my parents opened the pub in 1968.

"Monday to Thursday are usually quiet nights for business anyway and we have music four nights a week at no cover charge to our patrons so we have to pay the musicians as well as all the running costs from wages to rates. I'd say there are very few pubs making much money these days.

"We have to keep a certain price point to keep our heads above water but with three price hikes so far this year, that's a lot to ask customers to fork out as well. So we are trying to get the balance right. Keep open, keep jobs and keep customers.

"Our Guinness is €5.80 and lager is €6.60 a pint, which are competitive prices, especially for a music pub. And now customers can have 50c per pint off during the week on selected products as well as a proper chat with people."

Drinks giants Diageo and Heineken announced their latest price hikes in January and February, adding on approximately 6c to the cost of their products.