A community group has said it is "heartbroken" after two Ipswich venues closed down just days into the new year.
La Cueva and K Bar and Grill - both located in St Nicholas Street - announced they would not be reopening their doors in 2023.
La Cueva, which had been open for just eight months, said soaring utility bills have "run us out of business", while K Bar ceased operation after 13 years as a result of increased costs and a drop in footfall.
"This is a very sad moment for Ipswich's high street," said Cathy Frost, a director of The Saints group, which promotes St Nicholas and St Peter's Street as a hotspot for independent business and heritage.
"It's a reflection of what is happening nationally - businesses are being squeezed everywhere.
"And I don't think this is the end of it. I'm lost to know what the solution is."
The two closures come as businesses face the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Towards the end of 2022, some were having to deal with energy bills that had jumped by as much as 500%.
Business groups met with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday to call for further government support amid fears that help could be halved when the existing cap to wholesale energy prices ends in March.
"With Covid and the cost of living crisis, there's been a perfect storm," added Cathy.
"We would welcome further support but it's just a sticking plaster.
"What is the plan for the future and what is long-term solution?
"Businesses can't weather another winter like this one.
"We don't want handouts - we want to trade. We want to encourage people to come into down and shop in the high street.
"There doesn't appear to be any long-term plan and that worries me."
Ipswich is braced for further closures during 2023, with many seeing a drop in footfall over the winter months - a period that usually helps businesses through a dry January.
"It's going to be a rocky time," Cathy concluded.
"It breaks my heart to see this happening.
"But the bottom line is that if you don't get footfall, you can't pay your bills."
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