Award-winning Carlow restaurant forced to close after a year in business - 'The burden of rising costs has made it impossible to continue'

"The owners of Baht in Carlow have cited the upcoming minimum wage increase, the VAT rate, mandatory pension contributions, and the 'constant rise in overhead costs' as some of the reasons behind their decision to close"

"A much-loved family-owned Thai restaurant in Carlow has made the heart-breaking decision to close its doors after just over a year in business, citing spiralling costs as the reason behind their decision."

"Baht is a family-owned Thai restaurant located at Quinn House in Castle Hill, Carlow. The restaurant is owned by the Srakhunthod family with head chef and dad, Noad, at the helm, alongside daughters Nanphun (Nan) and Owee."

Baht operated at Quinn House on Castle Hill in Carlow and closed after just over a year in business. The restaurant was family-owned by the Srakhunthod family, with head chef and father Noad working alongside daughters Nanphun (Nan) and Owee. The owners attributed the closure to spiralling costs and named specific pressures: an upcoming minimum wage increase, the VAT rate, mandatory pension contributions and a constant rise in overhead costs. The business was described as much-loved by the local community. Financial pressures from labour, taxation and rising operating expenses made continued operation unsustainable.

Read at Independent