Pub income hit in wake of Setanta's collapse

Pubs across Britain are losing out after the plug was pulled on Irish sport on TV with the collapse of broadcaster Setanta in the UK.

The games, which included Gaelic football and provincial rugby, were shown as part of Sky's Ultimate package until Setanta was placed in administration on 23 June. The ending of broadcasts is a big blow for many licensees because the Gaelic football season, for one, continues until September.

Trade was badly hit at McGowan's Irish bars, a London-based pub group that operates 14 pubs.

Marketing manager Bianca Ross described the situation as a "nightmare". She said since Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) matches were no longer shown, trade at one outlet in Neasden had dropped by 75%, from £1,500 to £380 on Saturday.

A spokesman for Mitchell's & Butlers, which operates 63 O'Neill's Irish-themed bars, said: "We were showing it and our customers were enjoying it. It's disappointing to lose it, particularly as it's mid-season. We'd love to put it back out as soon as it becomes commercially available again."

Terry Lennon, licensee at the Dorchester Arms in Southampton, said: "It's absolutely devastating for pubs. I lost £800 on Sunday alone — it's a loss of about £1,000 per week, and the season continues until September."

He has asked Sky for a reduction in his monthly payment. When none was offered, he stopped his direct debit. "We're all paying for something we're not receiving," the licensee said.

FT Pubs & Bars screens Gaelic football at its nine sites in London. Managing director Andrew Connor said: "The average game can bring in anything from £500 to £1,000 in extra trade. Across all our pubs that's a lot of money. This is another nail in the coffin."

A number of licensees have also expressed concern that some pubs have been showing matches via Ireland-based satellite transmission after Setanta went bust in the UK.

Since it went into administration, broadcasting rights have reverted to the GAA in Ireland. Diarmuid Power, the GAA's director of commercial marketing, said: "We're in talks with a number of companies to see if we can get it back up as soon as possible."

Meanwhile a similar threat looms in Scotland, as rights for Scotland's Premier League matches were also held by Setanta. No one has yet bought these, although the season does not start until 15 August.

• The trade is anxiously waiting to hear details of Sky's new price structure for next season's Premier League. Sky had no details about when the information will be available.