Multiple outlets report that some UK fish-and-chip businesses are cutting back on cod as the cost of fish and other ingredients rises. The Guardian describes instances where shops temporarily or permanently remove cod from their menus. In Falmouth, Cornwall, Harbour Lights runs a “cod-free week” in late April, removing cod entirely and offering alternative fish such as coley, pollack, hake and hoki. The report says this is the second time the owner, Pete Fraser, has tried the approach, after an earlier cod-free experiment about 15 years ago. In that earlier period, feedback was mixed, but the shop now receives more requests for the cod alternatives.
The articles also note that cod’s presence on menus is declining as takeaways face higher prices. Since 2019, the cost of a traditional fish-and-chip takeaway has roughly doubled, according to the summary provided. As a result, more outlets are experimenting with or adding cheaper fish options to maintain customer demand. While the specific examples focus on Cornwall, the broader trend is presented as UK-wide pressure on menu choices driven by rising costs.
