The owners of a Lurgan hair salon and retail store say they have been forced into cutting their opening hours due to “ongoing energy price increases”.
Sinéad and Émer O’Hagan, owners of Pin Up Parlour and Emporium on North Street, says the 56% price hike announced by Firmus on Tuesday has forced them into “some big decisions and temporary adjustments within the business”.
Taking to social media, they said: “With no working NI Executive in place, and therefore no price cap or energy assessments on the horizon, unfortunately in order to make some energy savings and ensure our business can stay open over the winter, we have made the difficult decision to close the salon and our shop upstairs, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, temporarily.
“We understand and are sympathetic that all of you, our community, are also feeling the pinch of this cost of living crises and therefore reluctant to increase our prices.
“If you already have your appointment booked for any if these days we will, of course honour it.”
The women also urged other local businesses to make their voices heard and implore MLAs to get the Executive operational once more.
“Come the winter months we could see more and more businesses closing their doors, some unfortunately for good,” they wrote.
“As always, thank you for all your continuous support and custom. Without you all we wouldn’t have a job to go to each day. Thank you for understanding.”