Energy crisis means shrinkflation to hit fish & chips
Last updated 31st Mar 2022
One of the north east’s most popular fish and chip takeaway and restaurants has called upon the Government to step in to help small businesses with ever rising prices.
Waseem Mir, manager of the award-winning Harbour View in Seaton Sluice has seen prices rising beyond inflation. He has written to his local MP Ian Levy asking him to raise the issue in the House of Commons.
Fish and Chips have been popular since the start of the 20th Century and the tradition of a wholesome family meal has survived two world wars and many recessions, but rising costs are threatening the future of Britain’s fish and chip shops.
Mr Mir has seen a massive increase in the price of fish of up to 115% and coupled with rising cooking oil and batter flour prices, the humble fish and chip supper is in danger of being priced out of the market. Add to this the huge increase in gas and electricity prices and the situation becomes even more dire. Sanctions on Russian fishing fleets are also having a marked effect.
“Rather than increase our prices dramatically we have slightly reduced the sizes of our portions which are still larger than many other restaurants and takeaways. My fear is that some less established family businesses will close resulting in job losses and we’ll all lose the tradition of having good quality food from the local fish shop.
“We’ve had a difficult two years with COVID and now this price rise isn’t helping business and I personally don’t feel that the government is helping us in any way. At the very least they should keep the VAT at the current reduced rate.
“I’m asking Mr Levy to raise this issue as a matter of urgency, and I’ve invited him to our restaurant to sample our food and discuss the problem.”