The UK's best fish & chip shops and restaurants 2016
The National Fish & Chip Awards 2016 crowns the nation's best chippies.
Simpsons Fish & Chips in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has been named 2016’s Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip shop of the Year at this year's National Fish & Chip Awards.
The coveted awards, organised by Seafish and now in their 28th year, is a nationwide celebration of the fish and chip industry.
As well as an overall winner and two runners-up, the awards commend 12 regional winners. There are also other awards up for grabs including: Best Newcomer; the ‘Good Catch’ Sustainable Seafood Award; the Healthy Eating ‘Fish and Chips’ Award; and the From Field To Frier Award.
Opened in 2009, Simpsons don’t use artificial colours, flavourings or bulking agents, offer a monthly gluten-free frying day, and has published a children’s book to help raise awareness about fish and sourcing.
Bonny Ritchie, who runs the victorious shop with her husband James, said: “After coming in second for this award twice over the last few years, we really are over the moon to have finally won.
“We’ve really pushed the boundaries of that traditional, stereotypical ‘chippy’ image, developing a strong brand which can compete with some of the familiar big catering businesses.”
Kingfisher Fish & Chips, which came in second and also won the ‘Good Catch’ Sustainable Seafood Award, has the most sustainable seafood menu in the world, with 12 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seafood options available.
Brian Young, Acting Chairperson for Seafish, described the awards as the “Oscars of the fish and chip world”, adding that “over the years, past award winners have seen businesses expand, staff recruitment and employment grow and turnover increase, all as a direct result of being crowned an award-winning business”.
Award winners in full
Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year
Winner: Simpsons Fish & Chips, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Runner-up: Kingfisher Fish & Chips, Plympton, Devon
Runner-up: The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham
Regional winners
Scotland: Cromars, St Andrews, Fife
Wales: Hikary’s Fish Bar, Neath, Port Talbot
Northern Ireland: The Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon, County Tyrone
North East: Mister C’s, Selby, North Yorkshire
North West: Hodgson’s Chippy, Lancaster, Lancashire
Midlands: Simpsons Fish & Chops, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
East: The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham
London & South East: Papa’s Barn, Ditton, Kent
Central & South: Cox’s of Letchworth, Letchworth, Hertfordshire
South & West: Kingfisher Fish & Chips, Plympton, Devon
Best Newcomer Award
Winner: Catch, East Looe, Cornwall
Other finalist: Chuckles Chippy, Poole, Dorset
Other finalist: The Mayfair Chippy, Mayfair, Central London
‘Good Catch’ Sustainable Seafood Award
Winner: Kingfisher Fish & Chips, Plympton, Devon
Other finalist: Harbourside Fish & Chips, Plymouth, Devon
Other finalist: Olley’s Fish Experience, Herne Hill, London
Healthy Eating ‘Fish and Chips’ Award
Winner: Harbourside Fish & Chips, Plymouth, Devon
Other finalist: Penaluna’s Famous Fish & Chips, Aberdare, Rhondda, Wales
Other finalist: Poppies Fish & Chips, Spitalfields, London
From Field to Frier Award
Winner: The Fish Bar at Sunnybank Road, Crewe, Cheshire
Other finalist: Kingfisher Fish & Chips, Plympton, Devon
Other finalist: Penaluna’s Famous Fish & Chips, Aberdare, Rhondda, Wales
Have you eaten at any of the chippies mentioned? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.
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