Traditional chippies are getting battered

THE HEAD of Britain's fish and chip shop industry has warned traditional chippies will "become more niche" in five years as they battle to survive.

- BY CHARLIE FENTON

Andrew Crook, 50 — who is the president of the National Federation of Fish Friers — said more are adding burgers and pizzas to their menus to get by. There are around 11,000 fish and chip shops now. At their peak in the 1920s there were 35,000.

Andrew, who has run Skippers in Euxton, Lancs, since 2007, believes his shop is now one of only a handful up and down the country which still sell only the iconic dish.