A Belfast restaurant has issued a message to Northern Irish politicians after a "crippling" rise in energy bills.
Gemma Austin who runs the popular restaurant A Peculiar Tea on University Road has said that the hospitality industry has been given no support from the government in the wake of soaring energy and food costs.
She revealed how over the course of this year her energy bills have risen from £180 in January to £5,446 in October, a 3000% increase.
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Gemma has said that if MLAs do not urgently provide support to businesses that are being "crippled" by rising costs then her restaurant and many others will likely be closed by next year.
She has said that A Peculiar Tea is currently fully booked but the cost of energy bills is still leaving them struggling every month.
Gemma said: "The continuing rising costs of electricity, gas and food prices is crippling hospitality businesses and due to a non-functioning Government we have absolutely no support.
