ALL EIGHT bars at Dublin airport, which shut down on Friday night following the termination of their licences, were back in service yesterday afternoon, according to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).
The DAA withdrew the licence to operate the bars from Atwell, a company connected to the Thomas Read Group, which is in receivership. The licence was directly issued to Cavtat Ltd, which was the preferred bidder during the Thomas Read examinership process earlier this year.
Under normal circumstances the new licence holder could reopen at start of business the following day. However, it is understood that Cavtat chose not to use the stock that was in the bars and the delays in reopening were caused by the need to move the old stock out and restock each premises.
A spokesman for the DAA said there was no question of the airport being “dry” at any stage.
“While the bars were closed, there are seven or eight different restaurants at the airport where drink was on sale, so beer and wine was always available.”
The spokesman did, however, apologise to any passengers who were inconvenienced by the closure of the bars.
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