Aberdeen’s iconic fish and chip shops are under unprecedented pressure, as soaring costs and economic challenges put decades of tradition on the line. Stuart Devine, operations director of The Ashvale, said spiralling costs have made it “near impossible” to do business. “It’s getting harder by the day, it’s desperate times,” said Mr Devine, who runs restaurants and takeaways in Aberdeen, Banchory, Inverurie and Elgin. Costs rose, and the biggest hit came from food inflation.”He said that surging wages, VAT, National Insurance, energy bills and food prices leave business owners feeling like they’re working just to pay taxes. “It’s just horrendous,” said Mr Devine, who was made an MBE for services to the seafood industry and charity.