The manager of a fish and chip shop has revealed that the price of his produce has tripled in just two years.

Paul Horwood, who runs the Village Chippy in Chalfont St Giles, told the Free Press that before Russia invades Ukraine in February 2022, one box of fish would cost £75 and that he would order three boxes a week.

But with fishermen and women being prohibited from searching for cod in Russian waters, fish is now being caught near Scandinavia and the Baltic regions, making the cost of fish pricier.

This has resulted in several chippies closing.

Mr Horwood said: “It used to be £75 a box for fish,

“But now it’s £220 a box and when you get three boxes a week, you do notice it.

“You can put the fish and chips up by £1.50 and people say it’s expensive, but I know that I’m one of the cheapest in the area.

“A lot of places are around £15 when I charge £10 but the rent, food prices, the gas and electric and the staff wages have all gone up.

“But what can do you?

“Do you shut up shop and say ‘right, I’ve had enough’ and do something until retirement or do you stick it out?

“With that being said, even if I won the lottery I’d still work here as I love it so much as I do enjoy what I do.

“I enjoy it and I’ll just keep on going.”

Despite the ongoing struggles the fish and chip industry is currently facing in the UK, the 60-year-old, who has worked at the shop for 31 years, hopes residents and people passing by support their local chip shop.

Around 2,000 closed their doors across the country in 2023, with there being roughly 10,500 still in business.

The loss of the shops is mainly down to rising costs of potatoes, fish, oil, gas and electricity.

However, despite the challenges, Mr Horwood is very much enjoying his career.

He continued: “Not a long has changed in the 31 years but the customers come and go.

“Some move into the area will be here for a few years and then leave so there is a lot of turnover.

“That’s one thing I’ve noticed that has changed a fair bit, but I’ve got wonderful customers.

“I do and it’s a pleasure to serve them.

“I start work at 9.20am and finish at about 9.30pm and I do that six days a week, with Sunday being a day to wash the uniform, do the books and some other admin.

“I love what I do.”

Speaking in June 2023, a spokesperson from Sarson’s, one of the leading vinegar firms in the country, said: "It’s no secret our chippies are facing turbulent times.

“Half of all chip shops are at risk of closure within the next two years because of rising ingredients, energy and operational costs.”