A fish and chip shop has put out a plea on Facebook for customers to ‘save us’ and keep buying to help save their local chippy.

Off The Hook, in the village of Long Hanborough, near Witney, posted on Facebook: "Calling all customers, your local chippy needs you.

"Please shop and support local businesses. We really need your support more than ever right now as it is incredibly difficult times.

"We are here to serve you and the local community through rain and shine, summer sun and the keep you warm with hot food during the winter months.

"Support us - Save us."

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Owner Kazim Karabulut said: “The fish price has gone up a lot and potatoes and the cost of energy. All those things are now very expensive.

“My costs are up £3,000 a week.”

He said he will be “OK for a while” but added: “I need help from the local community that is why I put up the post on Facebook.”

Price hikes on fish, oil, potatoes and energy are leaving many owners struggling to stay afloat.

With the average cost of a portion of fish and chips in the UK currently standing at £11.05, many customers are looking for cheaper alternatives.

Around half of Britain's chippies could face closure in just the next three years, bosses at vinegar firm Sarson’s warned.

Off The Hook opened 10 years ago in Main Road, a short distance from the railway station.

It was previously owned by Luke Carter and was one of a number of fish and chip shops around the county that stayed open for customers in the face of lockdown restrictions backed by the Oxford Mail's #StillopeninOxfordshire campaign, supporting independent local businesses.

Mr Karabulut, who had not worked during Covid, took over in December 2022.

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He said: “I saw the business came up and thought I would get it but it was bad timing.”

He is also struggling to recruit and has repeatedly advertised for delivery drivers and a pizza chef.

"I also need more staff," he said. "I keep advertising but I need a counter assistant."

The shop is serving pizzas and burgers as well to mitigate costs but Mr Karabulut is urging locals to eat more fish and chips to support the industry and save the national dish - even in a heatwave.

“Business is not good," he said. "And this hot weather is really not helping."