CHIPPIES FACE A BATTERING

Cost of spuds hits takeaways

-  AARON TINNEY [e-mail]

HUNDREDS of chippies face closure after potatoes soared in price.

The nation's favourite takeaway is at risk as the cost of 25kg of spuds has more than doubled to £20, say industry leaders.

The warning by Andrew Crook, president of of the National Federation of Fish Friers, comes as fish and chip shops struggle to pay for energy, fish and cooking oil.

He said: "People might just shut their shop due to all the other costs as well.

"They were barely keeping their heads above water, so this is going to be a step too far. Some shops will close until potato prices settle down but it may put some under."

Tighter UK supplies means many chippies may have to source spuds from Cyprus or Spain at more than £30 a sack.