Takeaway businesses in Northern Ireland are closing their shutters for the last time each day, as food and energy prices increase and support remains unavailable.
The Northern Ireland Takeaway Association acts as a voice for local business owners, and says they are receiving more and more calls each week to alert the body of closures. The association says urgent action is needed from local government and Westminster, to prevent more job losses.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Michael Henderson, from the association, says they fear more closures will come if support is not announced and delivered as soon as possible.
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"We are seeing 10 takeaways close each week," Michael said.
"It is taking a toll on every takeaway in Northern Ireland, not just the ones that have had to close, but the ones that are struggling to stay open too. We are encouraged that there is a new Prime Minister in place, but actions need to be swift and bold. Immediate support is needed for small businesses.
"Politician parties met with energy providers yesterday in Stormont, but nothing came from it and the next meeting is in six weeks. But we don't have six weeks. In that time, we could lose thousands of jobs and hundreds of takeaways.
"Closures of takeaways harm right through to the community. It is not just the business owners feeling the pain, it is their staff too, the customers, the community, the local teams and clubs that the business has sponsor.
"All of these small businesses give back every day. When the money isn't there to give back, then that hits the communities hard too."
Michael says he has spoke to heartbroken business owners that say they have no other choice but to close. The rise in prices of food and stock,merged with crippling energy and gas price hikes, has takeaways on their knees.
He added: "Business owners are telling us that they are waiting very nervously, on the next steps from government. Those steps need to include Northern Ireland.
"The takeaway industry is wondering whether they should plough through the next few months or to close. This is a critical time for thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of workers. This is what we have got to.
"The next steps taken by those in power, will make or break these small businesses. We have meetings with local parties and in London in the next few weeks, alongside Retail NI, Hospitality Ulster and numerous Chamber of Commerce groups.
"We will be presenting our Cost of Business Action Plan. We need support for all small businesses. The Northern Ireland Takeaway Association will be holding a crisis talk meeting for our members in the next few weeks alongside politicians.
"They need their voices to be heard. That will happen in the coming weeks in Belfast.
"The association is here for all takeaway owners in Northern Ireland and we want to bring the industry together as a unified voice. We sympathise with takeaway owners who are currently going through this heartache. We can assure them that we are fighting our hardest to lobby and get them support that is so desperately needed.
"If any takeaway owner feels that they need to reach out for support or for help, we are there for them."
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