Chip shop boss fears soaring costs could lead to price hikes

Ukraine is the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil, and the National Federation of Fish Friers has warned that one in three fish and chip shops in the UK could close because they are struggling to buy it.

But Zack Pelit, manager of Codland Fish & Chips in Courtlands Drive, warned he might have to put prices up in June "to survive" - because almost all his costs are rising.

Mr Pelit, who uses rapeseed oil, said it is hard to get hold of any kind of oil. 

He said: “We are going through tough times. We are struggling with the cooking oil and the other supplies, gas and electric, even the fish, the spice, the vegetables. Anything you can need to run the business.

Codland Fish & Chips' manager Zack Pelit. Photograph: Zac Pelit

“The prices are increasing every week. We can’t keep up.”

Mr Pelit said the shop, which currently has a 4.5 ranking on TripAdvisor, has had to pay an extra £1,000 on goods compared to last year.

He has also signed a new rent contract, which has also increased.

And because his overall outgoings have risen, he is worried he may be forced to raise prices by 5% to 20% on some dishes.

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He said: “It’s frustrating. We have been running this business for the past eight years and customers are part of the family now.

“We are trying our best to keep our prices down for our customers.

“There are many who are vulnerable, or who only have their pensions and they want their fish and chips.

“We want to keep them happy, but unfortunately, for us to survive, we might have to put prices up, maybe in June."

Mr Pelit said he was not worried about closing, but added: “It’s really sad if we close up, but I doubt it because most of our customers always say: ‘you guys are the best, the hygiene, the price, the customer service, it’s hard to find a place like this’.”

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