TODAY is National Fish and Chips day and nothing beats a chippy tea by the sea with lashings of salt and vinegar.
While the average cost of fish and chips has shot up to £11.05, some chip shops owners are working hard to keep prices down for customers.
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Chippy lover Darren Nelson, 58, from Poulton le Fylde, Lancs, says: “Whenever I visit Blackpool I always stop at Tower Fisheries because it’s great value and they really look after their regulars.”
Here, Claire Dunwell, who owns fryer Browns, Normanton, West Yorks, reveals the cheapest chip shops across UK seaside towns.
Tower Fisheries, BLACKPOOL
£5.75: Fish, chips & peas
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BLACKPOOL is synonymous with fish and chips, with over 50 chippies in the seaside town.
But one venue comes out on top on review sites and via word-of-mouth from the locals.
Tower fisheries is just a stone’s throw from the Winter Gardens, where you can pick up fish, chips and a portion of peas for under £6.
Owner Julie Singh says: “I’ve been here for 29 years and the reason I can keep prices so low is because I’ve got so many loyal customers.”
Peter’s Fish Factory, MARGATE
£5.95: Haddock & chips
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IT’S famous for its seafood stalls, but Margate also has some cheap-as-chips chippies dotted around.
In prime position overlooking the harbour arm, the newly-refurbished Peter’s Fish Factory serves up fish and chips for a bargain £5.95.
Extra points for practically being on the beach.
Owner Peter Curtis, says: “The price of potatoes has gone sky high – but I won’t pass the prices on to my customers. We’re busy, and managing to keep costs down.”
Cobleys, TORQUAY
£7.50, Cod & chips
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GENEROUS portions and good value for money is what customers on Tripadvisor say about Cobleys on Belgrave Road.
This family business, established in 1928, is thought to be Torquay’s oldest chip shop and while boss Stuart Cobley has fears for the future, he’s holding onto his low prices.
Stuart says: “Times are really tough but I’m holding out to keep prices down for my customers.
“I’m hoping there is some help from the government at some point otherwise the industry will collapse.”
Linden Fisheries, BOGNOR REGIS
£8.50, Cod & chips
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WITH some of the finest beaches in Britain and one of the highest sunshine records in the UK, Bognor Regis couldn’t be a better place to tuck into a portion of the nation’s favourite takeaway.
The owner of Linden Fisheries, Kadir Serttas, is determined to keep hungry customers coming through his doors which is why he’s battling to keep his grub affordable.
He says: “People are cutting down on their takeaways and if I put my prices up I’m just going to lose customers.
“I think I’m the cheapest in Bognor Regis because I haven’t put my prices up in a while.
“And if I did it would cost me £2,500 to reprint new leaflets and signs. I don’t have the money to do that.”
Withycombe Fish Bar, EXMOUTH
£6, Hake & chips
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A TOP contender for the cheapest fryer in the South-West, Withycombe Fish Bar serves up their cheapest chippy dinner for £6 – over a fiver under the national average.
Locals have rated it the best chippy in town with big portions.
Owner Dave Mohammadi says: “I’m living on a shoe string at the moment, barely earning anything on fish and chips.
“I haven’t pushed the costs on to my customers but I’ve gone back to working full time and had to cut staff hours to survive.”
Seaview Fisheries, SKEGNESS
£6.50, Haddock & chips
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SKEGGY’S A Proper Little Chippy is just that – and customers can choose to sit in the cafe or takeaway and head to the beach to tuck in.
Customers rave about piping hot servings.
Boss Lindsey ramsey says: “I think we’re the cheapest chippy in Skegness.
“A customer came in recently and said he didn’t want to pay our prices – he came back an hour later to buy fish and chips because they were the cheapest he’d found.”
Frydays, LLANDUDNO
£8.20, Cod & chips
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AFTER lapping up the scenery in this traditional coastal town and working up a hunger exploring the Great Orme Mines, head to Welsh chippy Frydays on Llandudno Road for a hearty fill.
Customer is king for owner Benjamin Edwards who always puts them before profit.
He says: “I haven’t put prices up lately because I fear that if I do, I’ll lose customers who are already struggling in a cost-of-living crisis.”
