40 chippies in the running for top UK takeaway prize

Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the awards provide an ‘opportunity for fish and chip outlets across the UK to show the industry exactly what they are made of. The process includes a meticulous set of tasks, challenges and interviews covering industry awareness, product knowledge, environmental and sustainability best practice, employer responsibilities, customer service and more.

NFFF President Andrew Crook said the category has seen many fantastic submissions.

“Fish and chips is such an iconic British staple and it takes huge amounts of skill and hard work to not only perfect the dish and other menu offerings but to also overcome challenges and sustain the business while keeping employees motivated and fulfilled. There’s a lot to it and each awards season we see greater depths of talent, expertise and business acumen and this trend has continued this year, too.

“Takeaway of the Year is the big one, so it goes without saying that the journey it takes contenders on is very intense. At each stage learnings and recommendations are provided to encourage the hopefuls to keep pushing forward and that’s why the National Fish & Chip Awards is seen as thecompetition for chip shop owners that want the additional steer to become better than they were before. We’re off to a brilliant start and we’re excited for the next rounds and to honour these deserving people.”

The category is sponsored by BDSigns, Florigo, Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinneys, Seafood from Iceland and VA Whitley.

Seafood from Iceland’s Project Manager Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson explained that the seafood industry is really important for Iceland´s economy, accounting for more than 40% of its total export value.

“The UK is the most important market for Icelandic seafood products and has been for ages. Land-frozen and frozen-at-sea fillets are the most important product groups from Iceland to the UK, and the species are primarily cod and haddock. The frozen-at-sea products are mainly sold into the fish and chip sector.

“Importers and distributors in the UK that are buying the Icelandic fish know all about this reliable, quality sustainable sourced fish from Iceland. The UK consumer on the other hand usually doesn’t know about the origin of their favourite seafood dish which often comes from Iceland. Seafood from Iceland is excited to be a Takeaway of the Year sponsor and to have the opportunity to work with the fish and chip industry and educate the consumer with the purpose to raise awareness toward Icelandic fish.”

The Takeaway of the Year shortlisted chip shops are:

• Cornwall: Kellaway’s Fish and Chips, Truro
• County Durham: Yarm Road Fish and Chips, Darlington
• Devon: Taffs Fish and Chips, Torrington
• Dorset: The Forum Frier, Blandford Forum
• Essex: The Hook of Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea
• Greater Manchester: Taylors, Stockport
• Hampshire: Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Eastleigh
• Kent: Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate
• Lancashire: Farington Chippy, Leyland; and Westend Fish and Chips, Oswaldtwistle
• Leicestershire: Frydales (Hinckley Road), Leicester
• Lincolnshire: Elite on the Bail, Lincoln; and Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips, Market Deeping
• London: Brockley’s Rock, Brockley; and Stones Fish and Chips, Acton
• Norfolk: French’s Fish Shop, Wells-next-the-Sea
• Nottinghamshire: Angell’s Fisheries, Newark-on-Trent
• Oxfordshire: Harrison’s Fish & Chip Co, Oxford
• Somerset: The Oyster Shell, Bath
• Surrey: Seafare Guildford
• Teesside: Robinsons Traditional Fish and Chips, Billingham
• West Midlands: Hawthorn Fish Bar, Birmingham
• Yorkshire: The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet; Locker’s Fish & Chips, Redcar; Mister C’s, Selby; The Scrap Box, York; and Two Gates Fisheries, Barnsley
• Aberdeenshire: Carron Fish Bar, Stonehaven; Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie; Lows Traditional Fish & Chips (Berryden), Aberdeen; Mike’s Famous Fish & Chips (Blackburn), Aberdeen; Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven; and Sea Salt + Sole, Aberdeen
• Ayrshire: The Fish Works, Largs
• Fife: The Wee Chippy, Anstruther
• Perthshire: McKays Fish & Chip Shop, Pitlochry
• Inverness-shire: Hilton Chip Shop, Inverness
• Anglesey: Finney’s Fish and Chips, Benllech
• Glamorgan: Posh Fish and Chips (Llandaff), Cardiff, and Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff

The principal sponsor of the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 is Seafood from Norway, and Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), said: “As a proud sponsor of the National Fish & Chip Awards, we’re thrilled to see this competition, year after year, attract such an outstanding pool of talented operators. It’s undeniable that fish and chips hold a special place in British culture, but it’s the passion and commitment to excellence that these operators demonstrate daily that gives this sector its truly iconic status.

“Norway is dedicated to ensuring that the seafood we provide is of the highest quality, and it’s wonderful to see that reflected in the standards these finalists clearly uphold. Seafood from Norway, representing the Norwegian seafood industry, is excited to continue supporting the fish and chip sector and to celebrate the best of the best at this year’s awards. Congratulations to all those who made it to the top 40, we wish you the very best of luck.”

The next round will see the official board of judges chopping the list down to 20 and then to the final 10.

The National Fish & Chip Awards ceremony on 26 February 2025 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, is where the new winner will be announced and will take the baton from current champion, Caerphilly-based Ship Deck.