Are the days of traditional British fish and chip shops numbered?

Businesses are unable to make up for rising wholesale costs by hiking up prices, he said.

“There’s a ceiling that people are willing to pay for fish and chips. We charge a tenner for a haddock and chips,” said Mr Chester.

Mr Crook, from NFFF, said fish and chips are a “big part of British culture”, adding they “kept the nation going during two world wars”.

But he added: “It’s so tough for fish and chip shop operators at the moment. As well as looking at alternative species [of fish], operators are selling burgers, pizzas and loaded fries just to get people through the door and the cash flow going.”

Tastes had also changed, he said.

“The rise in apps such as Just Eat means there is a lot more variety these days,” Mr Crook added.

“Younger people tend to like finger food with various dips and sauces.”