Fish and chip fanatics have been warned Britain’s favourite takeaway is under growing pressure, with hundreds of shops now up for sale as rising costs squeeze owners across the country. Industry figures show there are currently 338 fish and chip shops on the market across the UK, prompting concerns about the future of one of the nation’s most recognisable high street staples.
According to a report by Business Matters, operators are battling a perfect storm of soaring energy bills, higher staffing costs and rising fish prices, leaving many owners reluctant to invest and expand. Danny Hennesy, a veteran of the trade and owner of fish and chip shop brokerage firm Mandens, said demand from potential buyers has never been stronger, but warned it is becoming increasingly difficult to run a successful business.
Mr Hennesy said: “There has never been more interest in the sector, but it’s getting harder to run these businesses.”
The fish and chip industry is worth an estimated £1.2billion annually and serves hundreds of millions of portions every year. However, many businesses have seen margins come under intense pressure over the past 18 months.
One major concern is the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions introduced in April, which increased from 13.8 % to 15 % while also applying from a lower earnings threshold.
For many fish and chip shops, staffing costs are second only to food supplies.
Meanwhile, energy costs remain stubbornly high, while the price of cod and haddock has also climbed amid global tensions affecting fishing fleets and fuel costs.
Mr Hennesy warned that many owners who would ordinarily be upgrading equipment, refurbishing premises or opening additional sites are instead holding back spending.
He added: “Fish and chips is one of the most resilient food sectors in the UK. It’s part of our DNA. When times are tough, people still come back to it because it’s familiar, affordable and reliable.
“But costs are rising from every angle – energy, raw materials, staffing – and global events are now feeding directly into the price of running a shop.”
He added: “We should be seeing growth, instead, people are just trying to hold on. Without support, more shops will close, and that would be a real loss to the high street.”
Despite the challenges, there remains strong interest from would-be buyers looking to swap corporate careers for business ownership.
Andrew Markou, chief executive and co-founder of BusinessesForSale.com, said fish and chip shops continue to appeal because they offer “stability and steady demand” even during uncertain economic times.
For now, Britain’s chippies remain a fixture of towns and cities across the country. But with costs continuing to rise, industry leaders fear more could disappear unless trading conditions improve.