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Donnelly Group, owners of the biggest chain of watering holes in Vancouver, is closing all its pubs and clubs until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The taps stopped flowing on Monday night at Donnelly’s 14 Vancouver properties, which include the Railway Stage and Beer Cafe and Butcher & Bullock.

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The shutdown puts nearly 600 people out of work, both here and Toronto, where Donnelly owns seven bars and a barber shop. Staff were handed layoff notices and instructions on how to apply for Employment Insurance benefits.

While he says closing the businesses is the right move to protect employees and guests, company president Jeff Donnelly says there is a real risk that some of the locations will not re-open.

“As a small business, like many others across Canada, we will be looking to the government for economic support. We’ll aim to reopen all of our businesses when the time is right but without the help of our landlords, lenders and suppliers aiding us to alleviate this financial burden, it’s possible they may not all make it,” Donnelly said in a statement. “When this passes, we’re sure that support for local, independent businesses such as our own as well as the businesses we support will be necessary for communities to get back on their feet.”