Hospitality warns of shutdown as energy crisis spirals

It could mean local shops closing early in the evening rather than later at night, or even Christmas lighting in shop windows being scrapped

Manager of the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, Neil Grant, said he was fearful for jobs in rural regions. Picture: Denis Boyle

Hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and shops could be forced to close for long periods over the winter or lay off staff as soaring energy and food costs become unsustainable.

That's according to a number of industry figures, including one West Cork hotel that saw its July electricity bill exceed €18,000 compared to the €8,300 one year ago.