It's a grim world out there for the independent off-licence, with a study from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland finding this week that while sales in the overall off-trade market grew by 3 per cent last year, the independent portion suffered "closures and substantial declines".

The research by DCU’s Anthony Foley notes the sector is dominated by “multiples, discounters and symbol groups”, with little space left for the local wine specialist who would traditionally have pointed you in the direction of a good Bordeaux.

This group, typically family businesses, saw almost 400 of its number shutting up shop between 2008 and 2012, according to representative body, the National Off-Licence Association. This equated to the loss of 3,000 jobs, with more under threat.

NOffLA says a further eight independent outlets have failed since the start of this year, and it expects up to 30 such businesses to close their doors in 2013 as a whole. As of now, about 3,330 independents and about 5,000 jobs remain but all involved know the omens are not good.

Evelyn Jones, NOffLA chairwoman, quotes Nielsen data which shows off-licence multiples saw growth of 1.2 per cent in their market share in the year to the end of January, while market share held by independent off-licences declined by 6.7 per cent over the same period.