The owners of an award-winning fish and chip shop in Aylesbury have exclusively spoken to the Free Press about the current struggles the industry is facing.

Hi-Tide Fish and Chips, which is based on Mandeville Road within the town, are one of many independent establishments across the country that are increasing their prices due to the cost of produce.

Severely impacted by the ongoing War in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis, the price of potatoes, fish, and basic amenities have all risen dramatically.

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This includes the shop’s energy bills which have gone up by a whopping 400 per cent.

Speaking to the Free Press on December 9, Lana Hawley, who owns Hi-Tide alongside her husband, Alan, and children in Kyle, Mark, and Emily, said: “Following the War in Ukraine, everything has gone up and it’s not a very good situation.

Alan Hawley, who owns the fish and chip shop, used to play professional football for Brentford between 1962 and 1974

“We have lobbied the Government to lower the VAT to help us get back on our feet, but, that has seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

“We’ve had no option but to increase our food, but we have had to cut down our hours and staff, and even though we are retired [Alan and I], we have had to come back and do a bit to keep things going.

“Fish and chips aren’t the cheap go-to meal anymore and so many are closing.”

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The National Federation of Fish Friers revealed in August this year that chip shops in the UK could face ‘extinction’, as the price of items continues to rocket.

Coupled with the cost of living crises, many families have since abandoned their weekly treat to save money.

This has heavily impacted the industry, and Kyle, who has become an internet celebrity with his viral videos that are shot at the shop, hopes customers will continue to support their local chippy.

Bucks Free Press: The shop in Aylesbury is quite well-known on Tik Tok due to Kyle's viral videosThe shop in Aylesbury is quite well-known on Tik Tok due to Kyle's viral videos (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “We’re all in the same Facebook group and it’s sad to see so many go due to the current situation.

“It’s a real worry and it’s been really difficult, especially since the War in Ukraine started.

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“The fish prices have almost tripled which is crazy, and even though our prices have gone up, we are trying to cut the fish to a certain size so that it matches the price.

Bucks Free Press: Kyle Hawley preparing for a lunch-time shift at Hi-Tide Fish and Chips in Aylesbury Kyle Hawley preparing for a lunch-time shift at Hi-Tide Fish and Chips in Aylesbury (Image: Newsquest)

“We think we’re quite good at that as we’re still one of the most reasonably priced fish and chip shops around, and I think people understand how things are impacting us.

“But, we haven’t seen a decline in customers as they’re still coming out, and we need to keep doing the job that we do as it’ll keep people coming in.”