The cost of doing business and the constant challenge in getting staff has brought about the closure of Waterford restaurant 'Bellisimo' after 22 years.

The popular Ardkeen-based restaurant announced the closure in a Facebook post on Monday, thanking the Waterford community for their business over the two decades and saying it had been "a pleasure" to be their host.

On Deise Today with Damien Tiernan today (Tuesday), Tony McMahon, proprietor, said it wasn't possible to keep passing on price increases to customers which were being brought about by rising utility prices, mortgage rates, cost of food rises and various other expenses.

He said "something has to give" in that respect and the reality was that it had  also become "next to impossible" to recruit staff.

The restaurant, based in Cedar House, Ardkeen, prided itself on bringing “a little bit of New York loft vibe to Waterford and offers Mediterranean food, with a local twist"

Tony McMahon told Damien Tiernan that his sister Deirdre Cullinane would continue to run the commercial catering side of the business.

He said they had many great times with the restaurant and it had been a particular pleasure to see generations of families coming through their doors over the 22 years.

The restaurant premises was leased by a local landlord whom it's understood has new plans for the site over the coming months...