A CHIPPY loved by Oldham residents has explained its recent price increase.

Hills Fish & Chips on Oldham Road, Middleton took to social media yesterday after it was revealed the average price for fish and chips is set to surpass £10 for the first time.

A spokesperson for the fish and chip shop, which raised its prices a month ago, wrote: “We at Hill’s have always done our very best at absorbing inflation costs and only do a price increase if it gets too much.

“As you are probably aware the cost of gas and electric has shockingly shot up.

"As our fryers are run by gas and we have multiple reasons for electricity this has impacted our business heavily."

They added: “The price of our fish has nearly doubled. Boats run off fuel, which as you are aware, has skyrocketed.

“The tractors and vans who supply us with potatoes also face the same issue with the cost of fuel.

“Also, our packaging costs have risen, alongside several other things.

“We wish we didn’t have to pass this on to you the customer.

"We hate having to do this. But we have no other option to do a price increase or work 14-hour days with nothing at the end. Once again, we apologise, and this is totally out of our control.”

The national price hike of fish and chips is due to a huge rise in costs, the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) has said.

Since October last year the price of cod has risen by 75 per cent while the price of haddock has gone up by 85 per cent.

Mushy peas have meanwhile seen a 120 per cent price increase while there has been a 40 per cent surge in the price of batter.

President of the NFFF Andrew Cook, who owns a chippy in Lancashire, has warned prices could rise to over £10.

Andrew said: "We have always worked on very narrow margins but now the increases are so severe it is going to be impossible for businesses to absorb."

In response to the price rise at Hills Fish & Chips, Patricia Mitchell said: “Not a problem paying extra when you are still getting delicious food, I’d even pay a tenner for your cheese and onion pie it’s that good.”

Margaret Haughton-Farrell added: “Customers will understand and keep coming. Worth every penny”.

Echoing her comments Tony Martin said: “Worth every penny, best chippy for miles.”