BREAKING: Announcement by Laois shop hit with huge ESB bills
A Laois shop that was hit with rising ESB bills has announced it is closing down.
Ela's Your Stop in Mountmellick's O'Connell Square, is owned by Ela Oczachowska who last February went public with her financial difficulties caused by rising ESB bills.
Ela who employs six staff, had been hit with bills she could not clear as footfall fell in the town last winter. It meant that her most recent bill had reached a total of €10,500.
She had received several disconnection warning letters and had made a tough decision to let go one worker, and cut lights and fridges to try and reduce her bills. Read more below.
First revealed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, she went on to speak on Virgin Media's Tonight show about her plight.
This Thursday March 23, Ela announced that the shop will close down.
"Today we are closing our doors for the last time. Unfortunately we lost the battle with the system. It was an amazing 18 months and we are hoping we have created good memories.
"We want to thank all customers for support but especially our students from Mountmellick Community School. Ye are all amazing. We will miss you badly," she stated.