Norwich fish and chip shops battling cost of living crisis

With people tightening their purse strings, some fish and chip shops are feeling the pain of the cost of living crisis more than most.

Burhan Osku recently took over the Fish Inn, in Colman Road, formerly the Frying Machine, and says "a lot of smaller fish and chip shops won't survive" in the coming months.

Burhan Osku recently took over ownership of the Fish Inn in Colman Road (Image: Submitted)

The 39-year-old said: "My family has been in the business for 25 years and this is as tough a time as I can remember.

"I own the Las Palmas Cafeteria, in Great Yarmouth, and I'm paying three times as much here in Norwich when it comes to energy bills compared to there.

"It used to be £22 for a 20-litre drum of rapeseed oil but that cost has doubled and getting hold of certain fish has been very difficult due to the Russia and Ukraine war.

"It's not an ideal time to be doing business at the moment.

"We managed to survive the 2008 recession and lockdown but this current climate is tougher as it's impacting people and businesses all around the world."

Barclay Gray, one of the owners of Lucy’s Chips, in the Market Place (Image: Archant)

Barclay Gray is one of the owners at Lucy's Chips on Norwich Market and says another issue for chippies is bringing in the product itself.

He added: "A few months ago we weren't able to get hold of haddock or plaice for about a month.

"Even now that we can, fish prices have virtually doubled with a big box of cod now costing around £240.

"If you can't get hold of your main product and with everything going up I can definitely see some places closing."

Burhan Osku, owner of the Fish Inn, said It's not an ideal time to do business (Image: Burhan Osku)

Ibrahim Celedi at Neptune Fish Bar, in Earlham Green, is unsure what the future will hold for the shop saying: "Everything is really expensive.

"Whether it's electricity, gas, heating or the stock we're bringing in - it's all gone up.

"We don't know what the future will hold. It's a worrying time for the business.

"There's going to be a few shops like us which will close with the cost of living."

Barclay Gray said I can definitely see some smaller places closing (Image: Newsquest)

Battered cod or creme egg?

With fish in short supply some chippies across the city are taking to expanding their menus in weird and wonderful ways.

Chish and Fips, in Angel Road, are known for doing some quirky combinations such as a battered pizza.

Chish and Fips offered a battered creme egg for people during the Easter period (Image: Chish and Fips)

But the award-winning shop also dip Creme Eggs into batter and sell themover the Easter period.

Grosvenor Fish Bar, in Lower Goat Lane, service Christmas dinner in December - turkey sausage, chips, battered stuffing balls, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Lucy's Chips' version of Christmas dinner including battered Brussel sprouts (Image: Lucy's Chips)

Lucy's Fish Bar also offer its own take on a Christmas dinner, with pigs in blankets, stuffing balls and Brussels sprouts - all battered with a side of chips and gravy.