National Fish and Chip Day 2025: Why It's More Than Just a Poster in the Window

Lynda Simmons is the Secretary of NEODA and has worked in the food industry for over 30 years. She’s passionate about upholding standards and proudly founded National Fish and Chip Day.

I've been working in this industry for more years than I'd care to admit—though Stelios jokes it might be close to NEODA's (National Edible Oil Distributor's Association) own 80-year history. While I can confirm I wasn't there at the very beginning, I've seen more than enough to know when something's worth shouting about. And National Fish and Chip Day is absolutely one of those things.

This year, we celebrate ten years of what started as a very small idea. I remember the early conversations clearly—someone had the spark, NEODA agreed to run with it, and the next thing I knew, I was phoning Josie (PR lead) on a Monday to tell her she had until Friday to get the social media going. We had four followers on Twitter. No website, no media buzz, no big sponsors. Just a passion for putting fish and chips back in the spotlight.

Now, here we are. Friday, 6th June 2025, will mark a full decade of celebrating the nation's favourite dish—and we want you with us.

Why It Matters

Fish and chips are part of our national identity, but sometimes, like anything familiar, they get taken for granted. National Fish and Chip Day is about reminding people why they love them. It's about brand fish and chips—not just chip shops, but vans, restaurants, care homes, the Armed Forces, and even school dinners.

It's not about flashy marketing (we don't have the budget for that anyway). It's about real businesses doing real things for their customers and communities. Whether you fry 50 portions or 500, this day is a chance to remind your town or village just how brilliant you are.

Don't Overthink It – Just Do Something

You don't need to give away free meals (though we've seen shops do wonderful things, like serving care homes or offering a meal to anyone turning ten that day!). You can simply:

• Put up a poster (available from suppliers or download from our website)
• Share a post on social media
• Hand out stickers
• Run a raffle or prize wheel
• Offer a voucher for quieter days

We've even got a press release template you can copy and paste, ready to send to your local paper or radio station. Easy.

And if you want help setting up a local event—perhaps an outside broadcast or media visit—get in touch with us early. We're here to help.

What's Changed Over 10 Years

The media, for one. It used to be trade magazines and a few press releases. Now we've got shops using TikTok, influencers who can fill a restaurant with one video, and regional radio stations queuing up to talk about the day. The legwork we put in during the early years—weekends, evenings, and more coffees than I'll admit—has paid off. And now, some of the press come to us.

Shops, too, have changed. In the early days, people would walk right past our stand at exhibitions. Now they come straight over, saying, "We're opening next month—how do we get involved?" That shift alone tells me we're doing something right.

This Isn't Just a Friday

Yes, some of you think Friday is already too busy. We get that every year. But Friday and fish go hand-in-hand. The media pick up on that, and it's what makes the campaign stick. That said if you want to run something the week before or the week after—go for it. We won't stop you. The more people talking about fish and chips, the better.

This is an awareness day, not just a day of offers. It's about putting fish and chips back in people's minds. And if that means they come in the following Tuesday because they saw your balloons on Friday, that's a win.

Let's Celebrate – Together

We know times are tough. Costs are high, and margins are tighter than ever. But goodwill goes a long way. And so does pride. National Fish and Chip Day gives you a platform to show off what you do so well and remind your community why you matter.

Visit www.nationalfishandchipday.org.uk to get involved. You'll find everything you need—logos, posters, toolkits, and a few ideas to spark your own.

And if you're stuck or want to run something by us, you can always email me: at lynda.simmons@neoda.org.uk.

Let's make this 10th anniversary the biggest yet.

Did you enjoy this Trade Talks column? Have industry insights or thoughts to share? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@worldofceres.com.