'That chippy dared to do things differently, the government needs to wake up fast'

A popular Greater Manchester chippy has issued a plea for the Government’s help after Hip Hop Chip Shop announced it would be closing down.

This morning, it was reported that the Ancoats eatery on Blossom Street would be closing its doors next month after 11 years in operation. Starting life as a mobile van, Hip Hop Chip Shop went on to become one of the city-borough’s most praised chippies - winning multiple awards and rave reviews.

But owners said rising energy costs and VAT bills, alongside cost increases caused by Brexit and the pandemic, had ensured that operating the business was now ‘unviable in its current form’.

News of the chip shop’s closure, due to happen on March 2, was met with sadness from many fans and loyal customers - with one person saying they were ‘stunned and absolutely gutted’ about the decision.

The owner of Chips @ No 8, in Prestwich, has also now commented on the move - thanking owners of Hip Hop Chip Shop for turning ‘fish and chips on its head’ and daring ‘to do it differently’. They said the closure in particular had ‘hit us hardest’.

In a post on their social media, the chippy said: “We honour those who dared to do it differently. The Hip Hop Chip Shop in Manchester City Centre were inspirational to us when we were setting out. They turned fish and chips on its head and did it how no one else thought possible.

2Centred on a community with a high quality product that championed sustainability and the alternative, we deemed them Gods of the fish and chip world and untouchable. Yesterday they announced their impending closure due to the wave of cost increases experienced over the past 4-5 years and unable to pass those costs on to the consumer.

“Yet another independent food based business to