THE owner of a Chippenham café says she has been “totally overwhelmed” by the generosity of supporters who have so far raised more than £5,500 to help pay her energy bill.

Customers rushed to support Jolly’s Irish Café proprietor Nicola Doyle after she received an unexpected £15,000 bill from energy supplier British Gas.

Ms Doyle said she had been left shocked after the energy giant told her she had only 12 months to clear the debt.

She also claims the demand had led to a suspected heart attack in May/June and forced a second hospitalisation a few months later due to the stress caused by the issue.

Thanking people for their support, she said: “I just want to say how totally overwhelmed I am by all of your generosity and kind words.

“I never thought we had that much support. It’s like a miracle, it really is.

“We’re all saved for now. Saved for Christmas.”

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

Mr O’Connor 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.”

So far, more than 310 donors have given £5,525 in just five days to help save Jolly’s Irish Café from closure after Ms Doyle’s plea for help on local social media.

She said the café at 18 Market Place had less than two weeks to turn things around, or it would have to close for good. 

Ms Doyle, 51, launched her business back in 2003 when she bought the small cafe in Chippenham's town centre.

But in the spring, British Gas told her she wasn’t paying enough to cover her annual energy bill. The company sent her a bill for £15,000 and gave her 12 months to clear the debt.

Ms Doyle turned to Citizens Advice for help and her case was put in the hands of a special unit to resolve.

After hearing nothing for six weeks, she contacted them only to find her details had been lost and the person she had dealt with had left.

Ms Doyle ended up in hospital in May/June with a suspected heart attack and was hospitalised for a second time months later due to the stress caused by having to resolve the issue herself.

"The British Gas demand came completely out of the blue. There was no explanation other than I had not paid enough.

"Their demand was extortionate. They wanted me to give then a lump sum as soon as possible and 12 months to clear the rest.

"They were completely unhelpful and made me very unwell."

In desperation, she turned to local social media, asking customers to support her business or see it close.

She also asked Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan to help. Miss Donelan has asked the company to give Ms Doyle 18 months to pay.

Since then, Ms Doyle has given British Gas £1,000 and hopes to pay off a further £5,200 using funds from the online appeal.

That will leave her having to find around £9,000 to clear the debt over the next 12-18 months.

British Gas and Citizens Advice have been approached for a comment.

Jolly’s is well known for its traditional Irish breakfast among other variations, and it is also part of TripAdvisor's current top ten breakfasts in Wiltshire.

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.”

To donate to the appeal, click here.