Award-winning Cork restaurant latest to shut amid spate of industry closures 

Owners of Midleton's Church Lane said rising running costs and the 13.5% VAT rate made it 'very difficult' for food businesses to thrive

Brothers Barry and Colin Hennessy with James Cullinane at the Church Lane Restaurant off Main Street, Midleton. The restaurant opened in November. Picture Dan Linehan

Soaring expenses have forced another Cork restaurant to permanently shut its doors as the industry continues to deal with a spate of closures. 

Midleton restaurant, bar and venue Church Lane joins the running list of more than 570 hospitality businesses to close in the past twelve months, announcing on social media that its last trading day will be September 15.