‘Please know that no-one is ripping anyone off here’
The owners of the Chips @ No.8 fish and chip shop in Prestwich have been forced to explain a recent price hike(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
The owners of a popular fish and chip shop in Greater Manchester have explained the reasons for hiking up the cost of its fish after being accused of ‘ripping people off’.
Chips @ No 8, which is located on Clifton Road in Prestwich, has regularly been hailed as one of the best fish and chip shops in Greater Manchester. It has also made it into a few national lists too, and often draws in big crowds during the day.
Run by owner Dan Edwards, the takeaway has defended rising the price of its haddock at the weekend, which it has described as its biggest-seller besides chips.
Referring to the cost of ordering a box of haddock from their suppliers seven years ago, the takeaway said it has seen a 125% increase in cost this week. Costing £58 a box in 2018, Dan said the cost of haddock had now ‘jumped to an all time high’ of £130 a box.
Dan said that the £4.70 cost of haddock in 2018 would now cost around £12.70 today, not factoring in overheads and utilities which would see it priced at around £15. Instead, the shop has begun temporarily changing £8.20 for haddock until the price drops.
Chips @ No 8 owner Dan Edwards(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Saying he would ‘continue to support our domestic fisherladies and fishermen’, Dan said he was sharing the news in a bid for ‘transparency’ after being accused of ‘ripping people off’.
He posted: “We temporarily increased the price of haddock to £8.20 on the Saturday so that we weren’t in danger of making a loss after we factor in the overheads and the reason for this post was someone accused us of “ripping people off!”. So this is for transparency.
“We survive squeezed margins through volume, simple as that. The balance between profit, if any and footfall is a fine one. Prices will fluctuate until the fish market settles but please know that no-one is ripping anyone off here.”
Most of Chips @ No 8’s customers said they understood the reasons for the hike and said they would continue to support the chip shop.
Chips @ No 8 often draws in big crowds along the street for their fish and chips(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
One person responded: “Your chippy is fantastic and I’d rather pay more knowing I’m getting great food. Keep up the good work.”
Another commented: “People don’t understand how difficult it is running a business in this climate. Prices double overnight and you can only soak it up the odd time.” One other wrote: “Fabulous shop – actual fresh fish”.
One person said: “Growing up in a chippy back in the day price fluctuations was a headache. I can imagine how much more difficult it is today with everything on top. We love your chippy and will continue to support you.”
Another said: “Keep on keeping on Dan. Best chippy in the country. Nobody wants to pay more but I’m sure all reasonable people understand and will continue to support your great chippy.”