Fish and chips now costs over £11 a portion. Here’s how to still enjoy it without breaking the bank

A trip to the chip shop used to be the cheap treat at the end of a hard week. Not any more.

New figures from industry body Seafish show a portion of cod and chips now costs £11.41 on average. Haddock and chips isn’t much cheaper at £10.29. Prices are even higher in Wales (£12.91) and Northern Ireland (£12.16), while Scotland is the cheapest part of the UK at £9.53.

If you’re feeling the pinch, you’re not imagining it. But a chippy tea doesn’t have to disappear from your weekly budget altogether. Here’s how to keep enjoying it for less.

1. Go for haddock, not cod

Haddock and chips comes in over a pound cheaper than cod and chips on average. If you don’t have a strong preference, swapping fish can save you money every single time you order.

2. Try the smaller portion

Many chip shops sell an “OAP” or smaller portion size, often around £8.58 on average. You don’t need to be a pensioner to ask for it, as most shops will sell a smaller portion to anyone who wants one. If you’re not that hungry, it’s an easy way to cut the cost.

3. Skip the extras

Curry sauce, mushy peas, a can of pop and a battered sausage on the side all add up fast. Pick one extra, not three, and you could save a few pounds on a single visit.

4. Try a chip butty

Chips in a buttered bread roll – depending on where you live, you might call it a chip bap, chip barm or chip roll - cost a fraction of a full fish supper and still feel like a proper treat. Whatever you call it, we call it tasty.

5. Collect, don’t deliver

Delivery apps are convenient but they add service charges and delivery fees on top of an already higher menu price. Walking or driving to collect your order yourself can save you money on your order.

6. Look out for early bird and family deals

Lots of independent chip shops run quieter early evening slots with cheaper set deals, or a family bundle that works out cheaper per portion than ordering separately. It’s always worth asking what offers are on, especially midweek.

7. Make it at home and save a few quid

Oven chips and a piece of frozen or fresh fish, breaded or battered yourself, can bring the cost of a “fish and chip night” down to a couple of pounds a head. It won’t taste exactly the same as a chippy, but it’s a good way to enjoy the tradition more often without the price tag.