Cornish chippies to go cod free for one week

Two of Cornwall’s much-loved fish and chip businesses are giving cod a week off and inviting customers to meet the rest of the family instead.

Harbour Lights in Falmouth and its sister fish and chip takeaways, Frasers in Penzance and Helston, are launching a “Cod Free Week” campaign from 20th to 26th April, temporarily removing cod from the menu to promote sustainable alternatives including coley, haddock and pollock..

The campaign aims to raise awareness about seafood sustainability while encouraging customers to give the wider cod clan a chance. Coley, haddock and pollock are all members of the same fish family as cod, sharing that same flaky texture and mild flavour.

Pete Fraser, owner of Harbour Lights & Fraser’s, shares why it’s such an important campaign: “Cod remains one of the UK’s most popular fish, and that demand places genuine pressure on stocks. But here’s the good news – cod has some brilliant relatives. Coley, haddock and pollock are all part of the same family, and they’re fantastic on the plate. Taking occasional steps to reduce reliance on cod helps safeguard future supply, while giving these underappreciated cousins the spotlight they deserve. Think of it as a family reunion just without the awkward small talk.”

As with its cod, the coley, haddock and pollock are sourced from MSC accredited fisheries, ensuring they are responsibly caught and fully traceable back to their origin. Pete added: “These alternatives deliver the same great taste often at even better value.”

By playfully positioning cod as “on holiday”, the business hopes to start conversations about responsible sourcing without taking away the fun and tradition of a classic British takeaway.

The team hopes customers will discover a new favourite among cod’s extended family, and realise that sometimes, giving one fish a break can be good for everyone.