More than £5,000 has been raised for a cafe in Chippenham after a plea for help from the owner.

 

It comes after the owners of Jolly's Irish Cafe, 18 Market Place, said it had less than two weeks to turn things around, or it would have to close for good. 

Ciaran O’Connor, organised the fundraiser after seeing the situation the café was in.

They said: “I know you don't want charity, but from your locals and myself, a fellow Irish man, we can't have you closing down.”

A spokesperson for the beloved Irish café issued the plea for help on its Facebook page on Tuesday, September 5. 

They said: “So I’m asking… if you people of Chippenham and Wiltshire want us to stay please visit us.

“It’s totally in your hands. I’m still creating new menus and I’m not giving up but I have a 10 to 14-day deadline.

“I understand times are tough for everyone and I thank you for all your custom.

“I had the choice to shut today but I’ve chosen to fight to the end and I know then I’ve done more than my best to save my precious business.”

One resident said “I've enjoyed coming to your establishment many times over the years, I really do hope this money will enable you to remain in business.”

“I refuse to see Jolly's close. It's one of the reasons I managed to convince my now fiancé to move to Chippenham from Wales.

“The whole of Chippenham is behind you Nicola, we can do this.”

Another person added: "My favourite place in the whole world for breakfast!

"Haven't sent much but hope it helps."

The café is most famous for its traditional Irish breakfast among other variations, and it is also part of Tripadvisor's current top ten breakfasts in

One resident told this newspaper: “Everyone knows that if you’re looking for breakfast in Wiltshire this is the place to be - it would be such a shame if we lost it so I hope something can be done.”

265 people have now made donations altogether.

The owner, Nicola Doyle, swapped Ireland out for a slice of Wiltshire back in 2003, when she bought the small cafe in Chippenham's town centre.