Fish and Chip Shops in the UK

Why not train your staff up on the history of fish and chip shops in the UK, your customer services team can tell your clients how well they know the market. It’s that little bit extra knowledge that shows to your customers how much you love the fish and chip shop sector.

It is believed that the first fish and chip shop opened in Oldhams Tommyfield market in the 1860’s. Clearly, they took off, as fifty years later in 1910, there were 25,000 UK fish and chip shops or “chippies” as they are known.

Ten years later, in 1920, we reached the pinnacle of the UK fish and chip shop market with 35,000 outlets.

Now let’s put this into perspective. In the UK now, there are about:

McDonalds- 1,200 outlets
KFC- 950 outlets
Starbucks- 950 outlets
Subway- 2,500 outlets

So there were about seven times as many fish and chip shops as all of McDonalds, KFC, Starbucks and Subway put together, and we think these franchises are on every street corner!

Over the years, sadly, the numbers have dwindled and it is currently believed there are around 10,500 chippies operating in the UK. People still often associate a fish and chip shop with coastal towns. As a child I always remember our holiday treat in Polzeath, walking back to the caravan with my packet of chips.

Today, fish and chips is still a £1.2bn market that serves up 276m meals a year. That is still an average of four meals per year for every single person living in the UK today! The sector accounts for £1.00 in every £100.00 spent on food, fish and chip shops use 30% of the UK’s white fish stock and 10% of all potatoes. You are still the UK’s number one takeaway!

Harry Ramsden is probably the most famous name in Fish and Chips. From a humble beginning with the opening of his first shop in 1928, he built a chain that is now made up of 45 outlets, some owned and some franchises. Sadly, he passed away in 1963, but his legacy lives on.

We like to know what’s going on in the fish and chip market. At WestWon, we arrange leases for flat bottom chip pans, transfer fryers, deep fat fryers, counters and all the other equipment you need to run a fish and chip shop.

Keep frying, keep investing and lets make sure that the British culture of fish and chips does not get left behind to the fast food franchise sector.

Please call our team for more information on 01494 611 456 or email [email protected]