A growing appetite for smaller portions, partly due to weight loss jabs, is fuelling a decline in sales of fish and chips, retailers say.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation for Fish Friers, said sales of chips at his counter in Euxton, Lancashire, are down a third compared with figures before the pandemic.
He explained both the cost of living and an increase in people using weight loss jabs have contributed to the decline in sales for his shop and others across the country.
“Lots of people are now taking weight-loss drugs. That is definitely playing a part and chippies have to change because people want to consume less,” he told The Times.
He urged other chip shop owners to serve smaller portions and light bites to adapt.
Around 1.5 million people are currently using weight loss jabs in the UK. The injections, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking the natural hormone which regulates blood sugar, appetite and digestion.
The drug also dampens food cravings meaning people are less likely to order fast-food and with the popularity of the appetite suppressing drugs increasing, eateries have raised concerns that the drugs could be killing the restaurant industry, including fast food chains and fish and chip shops.
Because portions are usually generous, customers are sharing large portions of chips between two or three people to help keep costs down, Mr Crook said.
According to ONS figures, the average price of a takeaway fish and chips in 2026 is £11.02 – a 10 per cent increase on last year, when the average was £10.06.
Sales of fish and chips fell by 21 per cent in 2024 compared with the previous year, according to ONS data.
There are about 10,000 fish and chips shops in the UK, but higher fish prices, rising energy bills and labour shortages could result in shops closing. Trade bodies have warned half of fish and chip shops face closure if conditions do not improve.
Changes in British takeaway habits mean fish and chips may no longer be one of the nation’s favourites. A recent Just Eat survey revealed the meal is no longer in the platform’s top ten most-ordered takeaway dishes, with Korean fried chicken taking its place.
The decline in chippie teas is also making it harder for farmers to sell their potatoes.
Lincolnshire potato farmer Andy Goodcare, told the BBC he has not been able to find a buyer for the first time in 45 years for his crop.
“Shoppers wanted fewer chips, crisps and other processed products,” he said.
Usually 600 tonnes of potatoes would be worth £120,000, but now he fears if he can’t give the food to a food bank it may go to waste.
