British chippies have shed light on the struggles they are facing amid soaring costs - with fears up to a THIRD of shops will close.
The average price of the beloved takeaway has been hiked to £9 in the last year as ingredients become more expensive, according to official stats. And while chip shop owners are desperate to keep their prices down so they aren't scaring off customers, some say they have no choice.
Amadeu Catanho who has owned Crispy Cod Fish Bar in Lockleaze, since 2005, is worried about having to close.
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The 54-year-old said: "You never know what will happen to the prices. The oil has doubled, the gas and electric has more than doubled and fish and everything else is following them.
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“I am worried. We are just wondering if we are going to be here in the future years. The way things are at the moment is very scary. People are not coming here as much as they used to. They can’t afford to.
“We are charging £9.90 for regular cod and chips. Three years ago it was £6. We try to keep it low for our customers but it is very hard to keep our margins up.”
And Nick Lomvardos, 56, owner of Bishopston Fish Bar since 2010, said: “It is crippling us.
“Every single week we are struggling with something new. If it’s not the gas and electric, it’s the oil. If it’s not the oil, it’s the fish. If it’s not the fish, it’s the packaging. If it’s not the packaging, it’s the potatoes – they’ve gone from £6 a sack to £22 a sack.
“There is no profit at all. This time last year fish and chips was £6, now it’s £10.
“Hundreds of shops have closed. Every single day all around the country you see places up for sale and it is really sad.
“I don’t want to close it down. I call it my baby. I started it from nothing. I refuse to give up and will carry on until I fall ill or if it comes to the point where I’m losing a lot of money every month.”
Andrew Crook owns Skippers of Euxton in Chorley, Lancs. - and is also the chairman of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF).
He fears at least a third of shops will go over the next five years.
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