Public meeting to oppose closure of cafes

A public meeting to gather support for a survival package for the Grafton Street Bewley's café in Dublin outside the building at 11 a.m.

The meeting, organized by the Save Bewley's Cafés Committee, is to rally public support for the campaign.

The owners of Bewley's cafés recently announced the closure of the cafés on Grafton Street and Westmoreland Street in Dublin's city centre.

Among the measures being sought is a special tax status for the site, similar to that granted to the Irish Film Centre, to allow the cafés to operate profitably.

Last night the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Michael Conaghan said an initial offer to discuss a possible survival package had been rejected by the company which said it could not meet in the short term.