Chippies turn to new species amid 'massive' cod price rise

Chippies turn to new species amid 'massive' cod price rise9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAndy HowardWest of EnglandBBCAlternative species of fish such as hake are increasingly being offered to customersCod and chips have been a favourite Friday night order for generations of Britons. A national treasure of a pairing which rolls off the tongue like Morecambe and Wise or Punch and Judy. But fishing quotas in the Atlantic and conflicts around the world have pushed the price of cod higher than ever before, meaning chippies are having to diversify. More and more takeaways are now offering alternative fish species, such as hake, pollock, and monkfish, as lower-priced options. But even with changing menus, there has still been a deluge of chippies closing. At its peak around a century ago, there were approximately 35,000 fish and chip shops across the UK. There are now about 10,000, and industry leaders are concerned more could disappear as prices rise. So is the tradition of cod and chips in jeopardy? George Morey is the 5th generation of his family to run a fish and chip shopOf all the National Fish and Chip Days, 2026 may be the most concerning for those in the industry. Margins are tight, and businesses are having to think of new ways to balance the books. George Morey runs Knight's Fish & Chips in Glastonbury, Somerset. "We're probably paying about £150 more a case for cod than we were last year, it's a massive increase and sadly we can't absorb those kinds of increases. "We do have to put the price up, but in order to help with the damage we put on all these other species so we can keep the cod price where we want it to be, both for us and the customer," he said. He said one cod case costs about £298 for 18kg of the fish. Morey admits sometimes it is difficult to convince the paying public to change their habits, even when a portion of hake is priced at £6.50 compared to £8.20 for cod. "You will offer them a small taste of a different species and they'll go 'wow that's great, I love it'. But then you'll ask them what they want to purchase and they'll say "I'll have the cod please!"" "They're religious - fanatical - about it, and willing to pay a premium because that is what cod is, a premium product. It's the white gold," he added. Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said it's getting harder for smaller jobs"We are seeing shops close," said Andrew Crook, the president of the National Federation of Fish Friers. "It's more and more difficult for the smaller shops just to compete and keep up with legislation. "We're busy producing fish and chips - that's what we came into the industry for - and you spend more and more of your time filling out forms and making sure you're compliant," he said. Adam Papa has regular customers who've been eating in his restaurant for decadesAs well as diversifying by adding different species of fish to menus, some restaurants believe concentrating on customer service and retaining loyal diners is the key. Papa's in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, has staff and customers who have been part of the fabric for 30 years. "The main secret is the support of our patrons, and my colleagues who are absolutely amazing, they've been the rocks of the business," said owner Adam Papa. "Fish and chips is our traditional meal and it's never going to die. "What we need is understanding that fish is very expensive and not as reasonably priced as it used to be five years ago. Just having their support for local businesses like ours is what it's all about. We've just got to get through this situation." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this storyFish cost forces chippy to up prices to stay openChippy apologises for prices as fish costs surge'Chippies will die unless we eat cheaper fish'Fish and chips price rise tops UK takeawaysGlastonburyFishFishing industryWeston-super-MareUK governmentFishingCost of Living Bristol