Fish and chip shops under attack by Labour

Owners fear the days of Britain’s big chip companies may be numbered amid Labour’s plans to boost workers’ rights.

Fish and chip shops are already under pressure from high energy costs and poor potato harvests, which are driving up prices for customers.

Now an industry group is warning that one of Britain’s favourite institutions could become history.

Andrew Crook, who has run Skippers in Euxton, Lancashire, for 17 years and is chairman of the National Federation of Fish Fryers, has written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds warning that “the odds are stacked against” fish and chip shops.

Crook is expanding with another outlet called Oh My Cod in nearby Coppull, but says many of his fellow chippy owners are desperate.

“I get several calls a week from successful former business owners who are feeling discouraged as they go from one problem to another. And they feel that the Government is not interested in fully supporting small businesses,” the letter said. “There are many businesses for sale and we are seeing more closing down as the owners realise that it is no longer worthwhile and they cannot find a buyer.” Mr Crook said: “My fear is that we are about to see an exodus of good operators offering good jobs.”

The letter comes as the Office for National Statistics revealed the average price of a portion of fish and chips has risen from £6.48 in July 2019 to £9.88 today.

Chippies are facing a perfect storm of import tariffs on seafood and a surge in global demand for fish, particularly from the United States, where buyers have fallen in love with cod caught in Norwegian waters.

Extreme weather conditions have also affected potato harvests across Europe, driving up the price of potatoes.

Some chip shop owners are also alarmed by the reform of workers’ rights pushed by the Labour Party, led by Deputy First Minister Angela Rayner. Such reform could give employees protection from unfair dismissal from day one, end zero-hour contracts and increase the minimum wage.

Stuart Devine, owner of Scottish fishmongers and chip shop chain Ashvale, said: “If you increase wages, prices have to go up. It’s a concern in a cost of living crisis.”

“Minimum wages have gone too far. Chip shops are not like fancy restaurants. We can’t start charging £30 for a meal.”

Crook called for “common sense” from Labour when it comes to workers’ rights, adding: “Employees must be protected from bad employers, but employers must also be protected from bad employees.”