A Limerick restaurant has sent a message to the Government about the new reality of business in level three.
La Cucina, a local run restaurant in Limerick city, sent a tweet to Leo Varadkar and the Government on Friday night as they faced into the first weekend of new restrictions.
Lorraine Fanneran, owner of the popular spot, said that takeaways won't save them and they had made just €42 by 4pm on Friday - 80% down on the norm.
The respected restaurant owner added: "Our city centre location is all about the experience, the atmosphere, the staff, it doesn’t work as takeaway, it’s got no soul this way!
"It's taken us so long to get it right and it’s heartbreaking to see it like this. I just want to show the reality of the situation, it’s dire!
"Most looking in will think it will be ok as we can still do takeaway but the reality is completely different for some locations."
Pictures were also shared of inside the restaurant with no one to be seen.
Other business owners shared Lorraine's thoughts and spoke about how hard they're finding it.
The owner of The Burren Bar in Clare said: "Its is worse than the first lockdown because we are going to be forgotten about because we are technically allowed 'open'."
The Tannery in Dungarvan, west Waterford said; "Feels so strange to be in an empty restaurant in what should be a very healthy Friday night."
At the moment restaurants can remain open and serve up to 15 people outside or operate a takeaway service.
