'Outrageous' cost rises leave Longford businesses feeling the pinch

In a week which has seen Vat rates for hospitality revert from a reduced nine per cent to a pre-Covid level of 13.5 per cent alongside those of escalating fuel and utility charges, many have been quick to voice their angst at the measures.

Longford town based businessman Eamon Farrell branded the increases as “terrible” and ones which were already causing untold damage to the wider local economy.

“It is outrageous as everything has gone up and nothing has come down,” he said, while also addressing sky-high electricity charges.

“I am 63c here at the minute and I am negotiating down to 28c.

“My average bill has gone up €200 every two months. It’s terrible. How people are existing I don’t know.”

The local photograpy shop owner said the knock-on effects of consumers having less disposable income to draw upon was beginning to be felt in other areas of the local services industry.

“ I did a tour of the pubs the other night on a Thursday night and there were 37 people in all of the pubs in Longford town,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it.”

Meanwhile, Krzysztof Kulisz from Longford delicatessen Dessert Mania said the return to higher hospitality Vat rates was already forcing local businesses to make tough choices.

“That is the problem to pass onto the customers or the business,” he said.

“Probably from the beginning we (will) take it because we don’t want to increase prices.”

Fellow local eatery owner Mahdi Abdul of Coffee Corner said the decision to revert to a higher 13.5 per cent rate was “100 per cent” the wrong move to impart on businesses already struggling to make ends meet.