Hundreds of people queue for hours as fish and shop serves portions for just 45p

Hundreds of people queued down a busy street after a new fish and chip shop slashed opening prices to 45p in a nod to how much it cost when its first branch opened in 1972

Hundreds of people hungry for fish and chips queued for several hours after portion prices were cut to 45p.

The owners of Mother Hubbard’s chip shop opened a new branch in Sheffield this morning.

To mark the opening prices were reduced to the low amount to match how much its first takeaway charged in 1972.

The cheap meals created massive queues stretching though one of Sheffield’s busiest main roads from 10.30am.

Staff are offering the cut price deal to the first 1,000 customers, although the shop has said it is determined to make sure everyone in the queue gets something to eat.

Head chef Chris Farnell said: “We are doing this to give something to the community and this is a great way to introduce ourselves and meet our customers.”

The mammoth queue started at 10.30am – half an hour before the shop opened its doors – with Tom Watson, 25, being the first in line for the cheap meal.

Tom, from Lowedges, Sheffield, said: “I saw a friend had posted it on Facebook and I thought why not.

“We are getting 45p fish and chips which is amazing especially with the cost of living at the moment.”

Fellow customer Daniel Gibbons, 60, of Charnock, Sheffield, said: “I think it’s been a really good idea. It brings in interest.

“I am quite familiar with this area and a lot of businesses fail because of their location but this should put these guys on the map.”

The chippie’s website says a standard portion of fish and chips is normally £8.75.

The owners launched in Bradford in 1972 when it was opened by Coronation Street actors Bernard Youens and Jean Alexander who played Stan and Hilda Ogden.

In June the firm pulled the same move for the opening of its chip shop in Erdington where excited punters started queuing at 9am.

One customer was seen taking seven portions home to feed their family.

At the time manager, Chris Thornton, said: “It’s been brilliant.

“I have calmed down now after being nervous about what was going to happen.”

Shoppers in Bolton also got to enjoy 45p meals when it opened there in 2021.