A campaign is under way in Kilkenny to reopen the Smithwick's Experience visitor centre following a recent decision by its owners to permanently close the attraction.
The centre is located in the former Smithwick’s brewery on Parliament Street in the city, where drink production ended in 2013.
Following an extensive refurbishment programme by owners Diageo, it opened as a tourist attraction in 2014. However, following its closure because of covid-19 restrictions last year, Diageo announced last month that it would not be viable to reopen it because of social distancing measures as well as lower than expected visitor numbers prior to the pandemic.
A petition has now been gathered in the area with over 6,000 signatures, calling for the owners to reverse their decision.
"People really want to see this Smithwick’s Experience reopened," local publican and chairman of the Kilkenny Vintners Association Anthony Morrison told RTÉ News.
"Let the people of Kilkenny re-engage with Diageo, we are your stakeholders, we are your customers. We want them to acknowledge that this is really important to Kilkenny.
"It’s not just about the balance sheet, it’s not about the turnstiles, there has to be a goodwill effort put here by Diageo. Look, all we want is the consideration to reopen. We will work with them, we are engaging, and we want to help them to help themselves."
Jack McHugh, who worked as a tour guide at the Smithwick’s Experience for several summers while he was at college, said in relation to the buildings centuries-old history of brewing: "My grandfather worked in the brewery for 44 years. I never got to work in the brewery itself but this is the closest I could get, because I think it’s very important that the history of the brewery, not just Smithwick’s and the Diageo connection, but even before that, the Franciscan monks and all, I wanted to keep that alive.
"It was absolutely amazing to pass on that story to the visitors and the locals alike that came in, so at night then when they were having a pint of Smithwick’s, they were looking at it in a different light, knowing the story."
Mr McHugh said it is important to maintain the link in Kilkenny with its brewing story.
"A lot of people if they come to Kilkenny they might have heard of Smithwick's but they wouldn’t know the connection that’s there, and the over 800 years of brewing that’s there.
"It’s a vital part of the town’s story and it definitely should be kept alive."
Visitors to the centre "absolutely loved it" thanks to the passion of the staff, he added.
"Everyone was like myself, they loved the story and loved the history of it, so we tried to pass that on to the visitors and the feedback was always great."
When the Smithwick’s Experience opened it was hoped that it would reach 100,000 visitors per year but, according to Diageo, it never got past a little over 60,000.
Diageo said that social distancing requirements, which would have to be implemented, would cut capacity by 80%, making it unviable to reopen.
In a statement to RTÉ, Diageo said they had met and engaged "with a range of stakeholders in Kilkenny" to discuss the decision to close the attraction.
"We have shared viewpoints on the challenges we have faced, listened carefully to the concerns and issues expressed by those we have spoken with, and hope to continue this ongoing engagement," the statement said.
"We are as committed as ever to Kilkenny and celebrating our brewing heritage in the city and want to work with all stakeholders in the city to explore how we can continue to support tourism, the economy and celebrate the brewing heritage of the city."
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