Fish and chip bosses warn of 'disaster' over rising prices

Predrag Djuric, known as 'Pedja', runs one of Worcester's longest-running fish and chip shops, The Crispy Cod in Pinkett Street, Northwick.

He has called on more to be done to help the industry, including slashing VAT back to pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, a prominent city councillor also called for aid, predicting the end of the 'fish and chip supper' unless city businesses are given more support.

The rising price of potatoes after the heatwave damaged the crop is only the latest of many blows to hit the industry.

An award-winning pub landlord says the impact is bound to be felt by their trade as well, despite their best efforts to absorb the costs on behalf of customers.

The closure and boarding up of Lowesmoor Fish Bar in mysterious circumstances earlier this month has also caused concern in the city.

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READ MORE: Lowesmoor Fish Bar closed and boarded up

At 60 years of age, Mr Djuric still works 60 hours a week at The Crispy Cod to keep the business going and is now calling on urgent Government action as the price of everything from oil and potatoes to gas and electricity, continues to rise.

ESTABLISHED: The Crispy Cod - pictured here are proprietor Predrag Djuric and assistant Emma Bullock. Photo: James Connell

The business itself has been in the city since 1930 and has a loyal following with one customer coming to the same shop for the last 50 years because it was 'the best fish and chips he had ever had'.

However, with spiralling costs in the country and the industry, Mr Djuric has been left worried about the future. 

Mr Djuric came to the UK from Yugoslavia in the 1990s, building up a successful business.

He said: "It has been very tough. It's not just the gas and electricity, it's the price of oil, fish, potatoes and the cost of paper and packaging."

Despite the mounting pressure he has yet to put up his prices for his loyal customers - it is still £9.90 for a large fish and chips and £7.50 for a smaller portion.

"We're just surviving now. I'm worried for the next year because of the taxes," he said.

He said the first thing the Government could do to help would be to bring VAT down to 5 per cent as it was during the pandemic.

Mr Djuric also said an energy price cap for businesses as well as households would also help. Now, like many others, he is waiting for October to see what is going to happen.

"They can just increase it by whatever they want for businesses. Most big companies can kill the smaller ones. We feel we have been left behind.

"Most of the customers understand the situation and aren't complaining. They can see what's going on," he said.  

He added: "It's a very worrying situation for the fish and chip shops. It has never been like this before. I'm 28 years in the fish and chip industry and I have never experienced anything like this."

Mr Djuric believes he is 'a bit lucky' compared to others as he does not pay rates and, as it is a freehold, does not pay rent.

"For the rest of the shops, it will be a disaster. For many fish and chip shops the rising prices will be a killer."

STANCE: Cllr Richard Udall fears for the future of a British tradition - the fish and chip supper

Cllr Richard Udall, represents St John's for the city and county council, an area which a number of popular fish and chip shops.

He said: “If we are not careful, the treat of an occasional fish and chip supper will become a thing of the past. It will simply become unaffordable and unprofitable for the traders.

"The costs of basic ingredients are spiralling out of control with inflation, cost of cooking and heating and transportation.

"It's not just fish and chips, but all small food retailers and takeaways, the business climate has never been so bad with the long-term outlook being very frightening for many.

"Clearly we need government intervention, to cap the cost of heating and fuel and to reduce the impact on the cost of living. A good first step would be to abolish VAT on hot takeaway food, which was introduced by the Conservatives in the 1980’s.

"It would cut cost of food and business administration, it would be a boost to the industry and could save many jobs, we simply cannot leave it to the free market, too many businesses will collapse and too many people will suffer, we need an end to government inaction and dithering."

Lowesmoor Fish Bar is now behind wooden boards with no explanation given about the closure. 

Previously the business was run by local character “Honky” (George) Fletcher, who had the shop for more than 50 years until he retired in 1985.

After previous cost pressures for businesses, the cost of chips is the latest projected rise after suppliers warned the numerous heatwaves this summer has hit UK potato crops.

Experts have warned the British staple could rise in price as early as September.

Speaking to The Grocer, one wholesaler warned: “There is a lot of speculation at the moment. The chip guys have already put through significant increases in the last 12 months due to fuel and energy costs and this is the next opportunity for them to increase the price.

“However, we won’t get a true picture until they have lifted the crop in September or October.”

It comes after Brits were warned earlier this year that the average price for fish and chips could rise as high as £10.