BARBARA Cook is at her wits' end.

The struggling Cafe Lazumba owner has just received her quarterly electricity bill and it's more than $700 higher than the previous one.

Despite keeping the radio and fans turned off, switching on just one light, getting rid of her Slush Puppie machine and turning the hot water system on for just a few hours a day, her bill has increased from around $2100 last quarter to $2864.81.

"I've been really really careful," Ms Cook said.

"I've been in tears, I love my little shop and I just want to stay in business."

Times are tough for a lot of businesses on the quiet street, but this may be the nail in the coffin for the cafe.

"I might have to shut the shop," Ms Cook said.

"I've been asking customers if they can help.

"I don't have a tip jar anymore, I have six little jars that say 'Electricity Donation'."

Ms Cook said she had received little help from her energy provider, Origin Country Energy.

"The first time I spoke to them they said the amount was an estimate so they haven't even checked the meter," she said.

"The next time I called they said they had checked the meter, but it's locked up and no one has come for the key.

"I really expected this bill to be lower, not higher.

"I can't believe it, almost $3000 for my little shop."

Ms Lazumba said she would be contacting the electricity ombudsman.

A spokeswoman from Origin said there was a team investigating the dispute.