A FAMILY-RUN fish and chip restaurant in Southend is “fighting a losing battle” to stay in business as rising costs continue to have an impact.

Van Looy’s Fish & Chips, in Clifftown Road, is a popular restaurant and takeaway in Southend.

Fish and chip shops across the country have been struggling over the past 18 months due to rising energy bills, rising costs of produce, and tariffs on fish sourced from Russia.

Van Looy’s in Southend have expressed how the price of “everything has risen - even down to soap”.

However, bosses insisted the only way is to “carry on and keep pushing through”.

A spokesman for Van Looy’s Fish and Chips said: “We have just got to try and carry on. But no one is happy with the situation.

“We are worried about our bills - it is very difficult.

“But, all you can do is keep going as much as you can. We are all working more hours, and I am sure like everybody, we are all in the same boat.

“Especially fish and chip shops, it is a real struggle.”

The business added how it is almost like fighting a losing battle - as costs have risen by around 30 per cent since early last year.

A spokesman added: “Everything is rising. All prices we pay are rising. Every time you go shopping there is a different, higher price. Not just one thing, everything. Even down to soap.

“It is like fighting a losing battle and it is hard for the industry to survive.

“But we don’t want to change prices as you lose customers, as they aren’t in a position to spend loads either - everyone is struggle.

“We have seen bills, and produce costs, go up around 30 per cent over the last 18 months. It has been tough.

“Thankfully, the seafront has been busy recently, especially in the last three weeks, so that has helped us a bit.”

As the prices rose rapidly last year, the National Federation of Fish Friers urged the government to cut VAT and help shops with spiralling energy bills.