Kam Basra has been in charge of Haines Fish and Grill in Haines Way, Leavesden, since November 2018.

Watford Observer readers recently ranked it as one of their favourites in the area, which the 43-year-old was "a bit surprised" to find out.

Asked for the reason he thinks the shop is such a hit, he said: "I change my oil every two weeks and make sure we have high-quality fish and the very best potatoes. I'm also cheaper than most people, we have had to put prices up a bit but we're still affordable - some places are taking the mickey."

Kam Basra (Image: Kam Basra.) One thing he would like customers to be aware of is that in addition to the usual chip shop fare, he also offers "unbelievable" peri-peri grilled chicken.

"It's one of the best things we do but people don't seem to know about it and tend to stick to the fish and chips," he added.

However, despite seven successful years, the start of 2025 has been "very bad" for the business.

Kam said: "January and February are always slow but this year it was worse than usual. Things can change and I'm optimistic for the summer but you never know."

19404970 (Image: Kam Basra)

Despite this, he's not worried about any imminent risk of closure, but fears that other chippies in town may not be so lucky.

Asked why, he said: "Fish and chips used to be a weekly tradition for a family but that's just not happening anymore. Fish is expensive - that's why we do other things like chicken.

"The prices of everything have gone up extortionately, especially fish prices and oil. Everyone is struggling but it feels like fish and chip shops are particularly hard hit."

Kam expressed fears that fish and chip shops could face the same problem as pubs, speculating that the tradition of fish and chips on a Friday night could be dying out among younger generations.

Recently released statistics have shown that fish and chip shops have been hit harder than most by the cost of living, with Office for National Statistics data showing a 52 per cent rise in the average price of fish and chips - from £6.64 in January 2020 to £10.09 in January 2025.

(Image: Kam Basra)