Hunstanton and Snettisham fish and chip shops facing 'perfect storm' of rising costs

Many factors are affecting Hunstanton and Snettisham fish and chip shops which are contributing to the good old-fashioned seaside treat becoming a little more pricey.

Families are struggling with the cost of living, a rise in energy bills and using food banks, so a trip to the chippy is another price that needs to be considered.

A bag of chips and a piece of fish is a cheaper way to eat for families but factors such as the war between Russia and Ukraine affecting costs and the import of sunflower oil, delays in supply chains, heatwaves affecting potato farming, the after-effects of the pandemic on the hospitality industry and fees on Russian-caught fish doubling the price of cod, are having a knock-on effect for customers and local businesses.

Mark Petrou owns Spudguru and is the operations manager at Henry's of Hunstanton, a five-starred quality accredited restaurant owned by Ian and Jane Wallis.

He describes himself as the man behind the scenes that makes the customer's experience better.

Mark said: "As a consultant at Henry's I oversee the day to day running and help with staffing, purchasing and legal compliance.

"My aim is to make chips shops better and recently it's been a perfect storm.

"Chip shops have been treading water, struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic due to social distancing and when hospitality shut down that was really the start of it.

"The footfall fell massively but now that hospitality is waking up again, it is being impacted by people taking foreign holidays again and the amount of time and money people are spending at home.

"The war between Russia and Ukraine has affected how at Henry's we source our fish responsibly.

"We want to use sustainable stock, so that there is enough for future generations, and use local suppliers.

"We use cod from Norway where they have strict quotas and don't over-fish but as an industry 40-50 per cent of Norwegian cod is caught by Russian boats.

"The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) added a 35 per cent tariff on Russian caught Norwegian fish and initially the Rotterdam gateway was closed off to Russian supply.

"This meant that half of the sustainable cod stopped and this doubled the price overnight, but it didn't really hurt the Russians as cod is a global commodity, used in America and across the world.

"Henry's is all about sustainable fishing and with the price doubled, plus the tariff ,we cannot pass that cost on to the customer.

"If we did, a portion of fish and chips could cost £20 to £25.

"With the price in cod more that double, we then had the drought which meant that the potato crop is lower but we still want to use British farmers.

"With sunflower oil from Ukraine and the prices going up massively, all of these costs mean that our business is being pinched at both ends.

"Now energy costs have come in to the mix, electricity has tripled in 12 months and all of these things are hitting fish and chip shops greatly.

"We have had to put prices up and this passes down some of the cost but it may be that we only open five days a week.

"This saves in energy and labour and we would be hopefully busier on those days that we are open.

"But I have to say that fish and chips are still great value for money, we don't want people to stop coming.

"The portions may be a bit smaller but then that's good for the waist line too.

"But gone are the expectations these days that a piece of fish could feed four people and large cod is likely to disappear.

"It is one portion each but we need people to support their local chippy.

"Remember that fish and chips are not the only thing going up and it is still an affordable treat, maybe once a week or even once a month.

"It's really tough, but we know its tough for our customers too, who may have to make the decision to heat or eat this winter.

"We know you have to stay warm but fish and chips warm you up as well as fill you up."

Matt Page is the owner of Snettisham Beach Chip Shop where he has served up fish and chips for the last 17 years.

He said: "The prices have affected us although we're lucky as we are a seasonal business.

"But everything has sky-rocketed, such as energy, fuel prices and the price of dripping, and doubled compared with a year ago.

"It really is quite hard and everyone is in the same boat.

"This is absolutely the worse I've ever known, it is horrendous really.

"When the Government reduced VAT to 15 per cent for hospitality and food during the pandemic is was a life saver, it really helped.

" I feel now is the time they need to put something in place again to see people through.

"Even though my overheads are lower here we have put our prices for fish and chips up from £6.80 to £8.30 and if the situation continues, this time next year prices could be £10 to £12.

"If it ever got towards £20 I would have to close up, there is a knock on effect.

"Most people have said they understand we've had to put the prices up and some people think we're still quite cheap, which is quite nice.

"Everybody wants value for money and the the more the public know will give a better understanding."

Mark Wilson who is the owner of award-winning Fishers in Hunstanton, recommended in the Sunday Times as one of the UK's top ten restaurants said: "Our prices have gone up but not to what they should have with the cost of fish.

"Last year I paid £46 for a box of haddock and this year it was £75, although potatoes are still a sensible price and pretty good to be fair.

"Packaging has gone up and there is only so much you can put on fish and chips and keep them as cheap as chips.

"We are open seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year and we try to look after our regulars, we close for three days over Christmas.

"Our price is £9.75 for fish and chips but it is a difficult year and it may be, if it's chucking it down with rain, that we close from 2pm-5pm in October, but we are playing it by ear.

"Energy prices will go through the roof and we pay premium wages for staff who will need to save their money.

"I am lucky to have had the same staff for a number of years and we want to give value for money but we are paying premium prices for the products."

The message seems to be positive even though the chips are down.