Award-winning Leitrim café closes doors after a year in business amid rising costs

A popular café in Carrick-on-Shannon closed its doors on Sunday, July 27, after operating for just over a year in the Courtyard on Main Street.

Fika, which was honoured with the Connacht Best Newcomer award at the Irish Restaurant Awards this April, announced its closure on Facebook, sharing the news that the much-loved café was shutting down.

Owner Geraldine Whalley expressed her heartbreak in a post on Fika’s Facebook page, citing rising costs and financial pressures, a harsh reality faced by many businesses nationwide, as the reason behind the decision. She acknowledged that closing is never easy and is often a deeply emotional choice.

“Financial pressures, the increased costs (huge increases) of doing business, tourism decreases, on top of the pressures of maintaining a new business, have made it impossible for me to carry on trading,” Ms Whalley wrote.

She paid tribute to her staff, saying she “could not have kept going without them” and that she “thinks the world of” each one.

Reflecting on her experience running Fika, she said it had been “amazing times,” noting that “lots of tears [were] shed over the past 24 hours” and that none of them will ever regret their time there.

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“I am so sorry to let you down, I did really try to keep going as long as I could. I loved seeing you all, each very special to me,” she added in the heartfelt message.

“Thank you all for accepting me just the way I am. I will miss you so much.”

The post prompted a wave of support and heartfelt responses, with nearly 100 comments from locals sharing their fond memories of Fika and expressing sadness over its closure.

“Incredibly sad to read and unfortunately is becoming very common in the trade,” one Facebook user wrote. “It was truly a fantastic place to visit. The food was absolutely gorgeous and the people always so lovely! Wishing you huge success in any future endeavour that you may consider.”

“The best breakfast in Carrick and we could take the dog. Very sorry to hear this. We always look forward to breakfast at Fika. Best of luck for the future,” another commented.

According to Procure.ie, over 3,250 businesses have closed their doors this year based on data from the Companies Registration Office. Business closures have been steadily increasing in recent years, driven by soaring costs, higher energy bills, and declining tourism.

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A Deloitte report published in January warned that hospitality, retail, and construction sectors, already hard hit in 2024, remain among the most vulnerable industries this year.

Adding to the burden, Leitrim County Council decided last year to raise commercial rates by five percent for 2025. 

The move faced opposition and disappointment from the Chamber of Commerce, though the Council argued the increase was necessary to protect essential capital projects from budget cuts.