A WELLINGTON businesswoman says rising fuel bills are "absolutely crippling" her tearoom.

Nancy Powell-Brace, who runs Odette's Tearoom, in the town's High Street, was speaking as claims were made that dozens of hospitality outlets in the district are in danger of going under.

Ms Powell-Brace blames the crisis on last week's Budget, which saw the business energy support for fuel bills slashed.

She told the County Gazette: “The loss of Government support for fuel costs as a result of the Budget is now jeopardising the survival of hospitality businesses like Odette’s.”

Meanwhile, LibDems reckon 55 pubs, restaurants and cafes are at risk of closure in the Somerset West and Taunton area following the Budget announcement in the House of Commons.

Analysis by the party also predicts 2,056 businesses will close across the South West as a consequence.

Their fears centre around Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcement that business energy support will be cut by 85 per cent by moving from a cap on unit costs of electricity and gas to a discount covering a small proportion of the price.

They say that according to the Federation of Small Businesses “one in four small firms anticipate either closing, downsizing, or radically changing their business model” when business support is reduced in April.

LibDem analysis claims to show small and medium sized pubs, restaurants and cafes face a £231million hike in bills - equating to around £2,706 extra a year per business in Somerset West and Taunton.

Liberal Democrats are calling for the energy support to be extended for at least another six months.

The party’s Parliamentary candidate for the Taunton constituency, Gideon Amos, said: “What good is cutting the price of beer in pubs if there are no pubs - or indeed cafes and bars left open?

"The Conservative Government is failing businesses in Taunton and Wellington who are facing the very real possibility of closing their doors this April.

“If the Tories actually understood hospitality businesses, they would extend energy support for at least another six months as Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for.”