A veteran chip chop boss has pledged: “I promise to give the people of Paisley a well priced fish supper for as long as I can.”
Fry guy Alfredo Nutini - known as Fred - is fighting costs on all fronts including haddock and whiting, which have doubled.
The gas and power bills have also soared at the Castelvecchi chippy in New Steet.
He has been behind the counter for more than 40 years and says prices have never been as high.
Costs of fish and potatoes used to fluctuate depending on supply and demand.
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But now Fred,64, said the only way prices now go is up, leaving him with little wriggle room.
The price of one of his fish suppers is now £6.50 and will have to increase more.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: “Fish is now becoming a luxury item and people will have seen that in the fishmonger or supermarkets.
“I will do all I can to keep the prices for my generations of customers as low as I can.
“During certain seasons when there was an abundance of fish and potatoes the prices were cheaper.
“Now is is just a constant high.
“People expect their fish suppers to be a cheaper meal, a meal you could have which would not break the bank.
“My current price of £6.50 is cheaper than a lot of places, which are well over £7 and some £8.
“My price will have to go up and I don’t like to do that to people.
“But we will keep the prices as low as we can for the people of Paisley who have supported us over the years.
“People have come in to have a fish tea here for generations and I don’t want them not to be able to afford it any more.”
Castelvecchi is a member of the National Federation of Fish Friers who are demanding the government helps ease the burden on those serving up our fish suppers.
Fred and his wife Linda have run the family business since the 1970s.
It was Fred’s grandparents Alfredo and Mary Castelvecchi who started the cafe in 1914.
He left school at 16 and went straight to full-time work after having helped out for years.
He said: “There is a fish and chip shop at the heart of every community in Scotland and they are something that should be preserved and cherished.
“We fully support the campaign to save Scotland’s fish and chips shops and encourage everyone to go out and support their local chippy.”
The fish federation is wants the increase to VAT on food and soft drinks back from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent in April to be stalled.
Some of its members have reported electricity bills going up from £400 to £2,000 a month.
The cost of haddock has doubled and batter is up 40 per cent.
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