One of Galway’s two Michelin-starred restaurants is to ‘hibernate’ for the winter due to the huge hike in costs and a critical shortage of staff.

Loam, located on Fairgreen Road, announced that it is to close from September 10 and all current staff will be transferred to Éan, its sister café, bakery and restaurant on Druid Lane.

“Facing such uncertainty this winter and after much deliberation we have decided to close Loam for the Winter season. It’s been a great spring and summer season, better than we could have imagined really, however we are acutely feeling the effects of staff shortages and spiralling costs as is widespread across the industry,” stated head chef Enda McEvoy and his wife Sinéad Meacle, the owners.

“So instead of continuing with both restaurants, we have decided to hibernate Loam for the winter and amalgamate all staff into Éan and continue to develop what we have started on Druid Lane. This has not been an easy decision by any means, but we believe it is the correct one for us right now.”

Loam will open for some events over the winter, including private functions, music and wine tastings.

His former boss, restaurateur JP McMahon, revealed last week that the café and wine bar Tartare on Dominick Street – the third eaterie run by himself and business partner Drigin Gaffey – would close down permanently due to similar reasons.

Loam opened in November 2014 and received its first Michelin star the next year. Mr McEvoy had earned his – and Galway’s – first Michelin star while working in Aniar Restaurant with JP McMahon in 2012.

(Photo: Loam chef Enda McEvoy).