Popular Tullamore cafe to reduce opening hours due to soaring costs and staff shortages

A popular Tullamore cafe is to reduce its opening hours due to soaring costs and staff shortages

The Square Cafe in O'Connor Square in the town has announced that for the next few weeks we will be open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 6pm. The cafe will be be closed on Mondays and Sundays

Announcing the decision, the cafe said that like many in the industry it is battling staffing shortages, rising costs from suppliers and soaring energy costs.

The announcement stated, "we have always operated on a seven day business model as we always want to be there to look after all our amazing customers but we need to try something new for a few weeks!!

"Any orders for catering for a Monday or Sunday will be fulfilled and we are always open for business for catering seven days a week.

"This is only a trial to see how it goes and we will update you all if their is any changes!! Thanks as always to you all for your support and loyal custom!!"

Speaking on Midlands 103, Square Café owner Kieran Conroy said, "people left the industry during Covid because businesses were shut and went to different industries and they are just not willing to come back out of it.

"A lot of businesses are struggling for chefs. Chefs are highly sought after and a lot of good chefs have unfortunately left the industry. There are a lot of plcaes struggling to fill that void. It is a speciality job where they are very experienced and trained. That is a huge problem and it's not just for us."