The cost of living and the cost of fuel was a hot topic in Enniskillen on Tuesday afternoon.

The late afternoon saw Enniskillen rather quiet but those on the street did note the town was busier earlier in the day.

One couple who have noticed a change are Ian and Angela Gillespie from Lisbellaw. Angela estimated that the price of filling up their car has went up by £30.

With her husband interjecting and saying “it’s more”.

Ian then joked: “It would be cheaper to buy a bicycle

Angela said: “Last Sunday I filled the car and it cost £102 and then I put £60 in it so we’ve put £162 into the car in two weeks.”

She continued: “The government needs to intervene; you have to wonder if they are using the cost of this to replenish money lost during the Covid.”

Concluding, Ian said: “We are in the summer now, but who knows what the winter will bring.”

Others in Enniskillen were also concerned about the cost of living with Raymond McCormack noting: “That blondey haired boy Boris Johnson, I thought he talked about bringing the fuel down but whether it’s true, I don’t know.”

Reflecting on the ongoing rises in essentials, Mr. McCormack added: “The electricity has got dear.”

Geraldine McGandy says that it could take “£70 or £80” to fill her car now. Adding “You question your journey, if you’re going to town now you need to make the most of your journey.”

She added: “I do think it is better to fill the car but the cost of living has really gone up.”

Those who live further away from the County town are being more considerate about their journey. One of those who spoke to this newspaper was Lorraine Maguire from Ederney who said: “£30 a week used to do me for fuel and now its near £50.”

She added: “For the first time ever, I have had to order 500 litres of oil instead of 900 litres. I have always got 900 but the 500 cost £512.”

Lorraine added that now she does her shopping on a Friday afternoon in Enniskillen after finishing work. She added: “Food has gone up every week we’ve all noticed in work.”

Noting a rise in the price of milk, Lorraine said: “I would usually buy four three litres of milk on a Friday and it would do me and the family until the middle of the week but I’ve noticed now there are less three litres every week with people buying them.”

Reflecting on food costs, she added: “I’ve even been changing brands on some foods using Dunnes or Tesco own brands.”

When asked what she will think will happen in the future, Lorraine said: “Belts will be tightened, it will be heat or eat.”