MORE than 830 chippies across the North West could close as rising inflation and supply issues hit their businesses Labour fears.

Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary MP Jim McMahon issued the warning after visiting fish and chip businesses in Lancashire.

The Oldham West and Royton MP visited a potato farm in Garstang and a fish and chip restaurant in Blackpool to hear first hand about the problems facing the sector.

The trip came as new analysis by the Labour Party of figures from the National Federation of Fish Friers suggests that 832 of the 2,500 fish and chips shops across the North West of England are at risk of closure within the next 12 months.

Further Labour analysis has found that the price of key fish and chip ingredients has risen by an average of 13.3 per cent over the past year.

Potatoes are up by 9.4 per cent, fish by eight per cent, flour and cereals by 19.3 per cent and oils and fats by 16.6 per cent.

The UK currently imports large quantities of white fish from Russia and sunflower oil from Ukrainian fields, with supplies of both hit by the conflict between the two nations

Mr McMahon said: “The Conservative cost of living crisis is threatening one of Britain’s favourite meals, fish and chips, and hardworking family-run chippies across the country.

“We are witnessing the potential decline of a true British institution and an affordable, much-loved family meal.

‘’Labour would support British chippies by scrapping and replacing business rates with a fairer system.’’

Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers said: “Our iconic fish and chip industry is facing its biggest threat in its 162-year history with soaring ingredient costs, high energy bills and staff shortages.”