Fish and chip shops brace for chaos as owners warn of 1 major challenge | UK | News
Fish and chip shops across the country say they are ready for a whole new challenge. Rising costs have caused the average price of fish and chips to rise to £11.41. Portion sizes are up for revision in some stores as the “fairly reasonable” price can be maintained while portions get smaller.
Fish and chip shop owners have warned that some cuts could be made in the near future, weighing in on alarming declines in the size of battered cod and the volume of chips. This comes at a time when fish and chip shops across the country are facing ongoing difficulty.
Jon Long, who owns a chip shop in Wimborne, Dorset, is one of many who have had to re-evaluate prices and see if current portion sizes are appropriate.
To talk BBCJon said: “Like the whole hospitality industry, we have been affected by energy prices and it’s not just hospitality, everyone’s pocketbook has been affected by it.
“Similarly, over 50% of the fish coming into the UK was caught in Russia. It wasn’t necessarily in Russian waters but it was caught in Russia, that’s now stopped and as a result they’ve put a duty on the fish as well.”
Despite these setbacks, Jon believes the industry has a future if they overcome the current challenges.
He added: “I believe there is a future in the fish and chips industry but it will be a challenge,” Long said.
“I recently reopened another fish and chip shop in Wareham which we closed in November. This was partly thanks to my son coming along. I wouldn’t have invested in it if I didn’t believe there was a future. I think we need to manage our costs well.”
Industry body Seafish says there are around 7,210 fish and chip shops operating across the UK. According to Britain’s National Fish & Chip Awards 2026, the best chippie in the country is found in arguably the best county, Yorkshire, or God’s Own Country as it is known to locals.
