Ireland

Share your story: is your business facing significantly more expensive energy bills?

The owner of a small café in the Midlands has seen their energy bill rise 250 per cent

The electricity bill received by Geraldine Dolan, owner of the Poppyfields Cafe, Athlone, Co Westmeath, which was 250 per cent higher than 12 months ago. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
The electricity bill received by Geraldine Dolan, owner of the Poppyfields Cafe, Athlone, Co Westmeath, which was 250 per cent higher than 12 months ago. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Thu Sept 01 2022 - 16:11

The rise in energy costs is as relentless as it is dramatic as bills increase by multiples, rather than percentages at the moment.

An example of the type of increases people face was seen this week when the owner of a small coffee shop in Athlone was charged almost €10,000 for two months of energy usage – a 250 per cent increase in 12 months.

The cost of electricity to the Poppyfields café for 73 days from early June until the end of August came in at €9,024.70. VAT brought the total to €9,812.22.

The increase has left owner Geraldine Dolan wondering if she can continue to run the café she has owned for 16 years.

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Isme, the umbrella group which represents small and medium businesses in Ireland, says this scenario is being replicated across the country.

We would like to hear from business owners based in the Republic. What sort of energy price increases do you face and how will they affect your business. And do you have any ideas on how to mitigate these rises.

You can share your experience using this form.

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