A popular town centre cafe has closed after 20 years, leaving the owner “broken-hearted.”

Jolly's Irish Cafe had been a staple of Market Place in Chippenham for two decades but ceased trading in late March, after facing multiple setbacks since Christmas.

In an emotional Facebook post, owner Nicola Doyle revealed the news to her loyal customers and spoke of her heartbreak over losing her business.

She said: “So it is with utter devastation that I write this post. Jolly's has ceased trading. I have tried and tried but I have no option.

“Since Christmas I have had nothing but problems which forced me to close so much. Fire, staff shortage, equipment breaking which gets fixed and breaks again. Then the power cut a couple of weeks ago was the nail in the coffin.

“It got to the stage where I was so embarrassed I couldn’t face people. So I’d like to apologise to all customers who kept coming but found us closed, again. Also to the table that was booked last Sunday and I didn’t inform them.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

“I have been so broken hearted and sick that it slipped my mind. It was our 20-year anniversary a couple of weeks ago and I had so many plans going forward and now my dreams and hard work have gone down the pan.

“Thanks to every single one of you who supported me, you helped me make the place something I’ll always be proud of and the best thing I’ve ever done.

“I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

Jolly's had faced the threat of closure last year, when Ms Doyle was slapped with an unexpected £15,000 bill from energy giant British Gas.

Customers rushed to her aid and kept the cafe open for Christmas by raising over £5,500 to help her pay her energy bills, although she remained around £9,000 short of clearing the debt.

In a separate post, Ms Doyle thanked her loyal patrons for their support over the years.

She added: “I cannot say enough thanks to all of you for your amazing words… the cafe has had many, many people through the doors and I have to say that 98 per cent of people have been amazing.

“I’m going to miss all of you but now when I meet you, we can chat til the cows come home. Reading all your messages has broken my heart even more.

“That place was my life and my pride and joy. Thank you to every one of you.”