The National Fish and Chip Awards has named its 20 best chip shops to proceed to the next round of the Takeaway of the Year judging stages.

Following intense assessment – which has seen entrants measured up against criteria such as environmental best practice, product knowledge and employer accountability – connoisseurs from the fish and chip industry have had the unenviable task of halving the original shortlist of 40.

The Takeaway of the Year category is sponsored by McWhinneys, Oilchef, Pukka, Smales, Colbecks, Friars Pride, VA Whitely and BD Signs.

Andrew Crook, president at the National Federation of Fish Friers, which organises the awards, says: “The level of detail we require entrants to provide hasn’t phased our shortlisted businesses and they are hitting every mark. The award officials have gone back and forth and around in circles choosing the 20 finalists; it’s not been an easy task, so what a brilliant achievement for those that are moving forward.”

Seafood from Norway is the principal sponsor for the awards, with Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, echoing the sentiment: “The 20 fish and chip takeaways should be extremely proud to be another step closer to potentially claiming the coveted top title in celebration of the nation’s favourite dish. The Norwegian seafood industry is proud to support UK fish and chip shops, supplying responsibly sourced Norwegian cod and haddock to operators that value quality and provenance. We’re excited to see how the category contenders progress.”

Industry leaders will continue further review of the shortlist, including mystery visits to whittle it down to 10 competitors. Stay ‘tuna-d’ for the awards ceremony on 28 February 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London when the winner will be announced.

The Top 20 chippies shortlisted for Takeaway of the Year are:

Tees Valley

Yarm Road Fish and Chips, Darlington

Yorkshire

Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, Bridlington

Mister C’s, Selby

The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet

Auckley Friery, Doncaster

Lincolnshire

Marina Fish & Chips, Skegness

Greater Manchester

Chips @No.8, Prestwich

Lancashire

Westend Fish and Chips, Oswaldtwistle

Nottinghamshire

Angells Fisheries, Newark-on-Trent

Bristol

Bishopston Fish and Chips, Bristol

Norfolk

French’s, Wells-next-the-Sea

Hampshire

Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Eastleigh

Surrey

Seafare Guildford, Guildford

London

Stones Fish and Chips, Ealing

Wales

Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff

Ship Deck, Caerphilly

Finney’s Fish and Chips, Benllech

Scotland

The Fish Works, Largs

The Wee Chippy, Anstruther

Northern Ireland

Chipmongers Portstewart, Londonderry

For more information and bits on the National Fish and Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.