According to the Restaurant Association Of Ireland, 140 cafes and food businesses closed in the past 4 months. And many more are planning to close after Christmas. Petal Cafe, in Castlepollard County Westmeath, closed its doors for the final time.  Since she spoke to the Irish Independent owner Elaine Guinan has been swamped with wellwishers and other cafes contacting her, to say they too are about to go under.

Henry McKean asks why restaurants and cafes can't continue with high electricity bills and their suppliers charging double.