Fish and chip shops battered by Labour

The days of the great British chippie may be numbered under Labour plans to boost workers’ rights, owners fear.

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

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

Andrew Crook, who has run Skippers in Euxton, Lancashire, for 17 years and is president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, has written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds warning 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 chippie-owners are in despair.

‘I am fielding several calls a week from former successful business owners who are despondent as they go from one issue to another. And they do feel that the Government is not interested in fully supporting small business,’ the letter said. ‘There are many businesses up for sale and we are seeing more close as the owners find it is just not worth it any more and are unable to find a buyer.’ Crook said: ‘My fear is we’re about to see an exodus of good operators who provide good jobs.’

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

Chippies are facing a perfect storm of import tariffs on seafood and a jump in global demand for fish, particularly from the US, where buyers have fallen in love with cod caught in waters around Norway.

Extreme weather has also hit potato harvests across Europe, pushing up the price of spuds.

Some chip shop owners are also alarmed by Labour’s overhaul of workers’ rights, steered by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. This could give staff protection from unfair dismissal from day one, put an end to zero-hours contracts and raise the minimum wage.

Stuart Devine, owner of Scottish fish and chip shop chain Ashvale, said: ‘If you put wages up, prices need to go up. It’s a worry in a cost-of-living crisis.

‘Minimum wages have moved far enough. Chip shops aren’t like fancy restaurants. We can’t start charging £30 for a meal.’

Crook called for ‘common sense’ from Labour on workers’ rights, adding: ‘You’ve got to protect employees from bad employers. But you also have to protect employers from bad employees.’ 

DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS

AJ Bell

AJ Bell

Easy investing and ready-made portfolios

Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown

Free fund dealing and investment ideas

interactive investor

interactive investor

Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month

Saxo

Saxo

Get £200 back in trading fees

Trading 212

Trading 212

Free dealing and no account fee

Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.

Compare the best investing account for you