The Ten-Sion Mounts!

Final 10 takeaways named for National Fish & Chip Awards

Ten UK businesses deemed to be reigning supreme in the fish and chip game have made it to the Takeaway of the Year finals of the acclaimed National Fish & Chip Awards with Seafood from Norway as principal sponsor for 2026.

The awards are the cornerstone event for the UK fish and chip trade, which acknowledges and rewards the outstanding brilliance of businesses and individuals serving the beloved British dish. The annual ceremony is created by the industry for the industry and is proudly organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which sets the bar for integrity, quality and performance.  

2025 Winners Yarm Road Fish & Chips

A series of assessments, interviews and inspections overseen by industry leaders, which also includes the category’s sponsors - BDSigns, Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinney’s Sausages, Seafood from Iceland, Smales and V.A. Whitley - have determined which chippies are some of the biggest fish when it comes to product insight, sector knowledge, business best practice, fulfilling employer obligations, being sustainability focused, and much more.

The 10 Takeaway of the Year finalists marrying together fish and chip tradition and exciting innovation at the highest degree are:

County Durham

Bells Fish and Chips (Framwellgate), Durham

Essex

The Fish Inn, Clacton-on-Sea

London

Brockley’s Rock, Brockley

Oxfordshire

Harrison’s Fish & Chip Co., Oxford

Yorkshire

Mister C’s, Selby

Shaws Fish and Chips of Dodworth, Barnsley

The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet

The Scrap Box, York

Scotland

Aberdeenshire

Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie

Ayrshire

The Fish Works, Largs

As the competition reaches its exciting final stages, entrants will face an unannounced visit by an industry specialist, as well as taking part in an in-depth interview with a panel of respected judges from across the trade. This will decide the two runners-up and the overall winner.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, share his thoughts on this year’s contenders: “The 38^th instalment of the National Fish & Chip Awards is one of the most amazing competitions we’ve had the pleasure of running. The industry is filled with many incredible fish and chip shops and there’s a smaller group within that which operate at a highly advanced level, and we have the honour of paying tribute to 10 of them in the Takeaway of Year final.

“Fish and chips is a national treasure, and the skill, passion, resilience and desire to serve communities with the best food shown by the takeaways we’ve announced today is a great representation of what makes our industry so special. We can’t wait to reveal the winner in a few months’ time!”

Seafood from Norway’s Bjørn-Erik Stabell, UK Country Director for the Norwegian Seafood Council, adds: “It’s brilliant to see these top operators reach the final line-up for the highly revered Takeaway of the Year category, each of them a shining inspiration to the rest of the industry. Their pursuit of excellence drives further motivation for us in Norway to continue to match that dedication, working meticulously to supply the fish and chips industry with the best possible and sustainable cod, haddock, and emerging species like saithe.”

The 2025 Takeaway of the Year titan, Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington, County Durham, will hand the trophy over to the new champion at the awards ceremony which will take place on 25 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.

Visit https://thefishandchipawards.com/event-tickets/ to secure your place at the awards and taste the excitement. For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.

Sponsor quotes

“We’re thrilled to see the top 10 takeaways announced – a true celebration of the passion and craftsmanship that defines the UK’s fish and chip industry. At Seafood from Iceland, we deeply value the longstanding culinary connection between Iceland and the UK, especially when it comes to high-quality seafood. We believe that great fish deserves great recognition, and these finalists exemplify the care and excellence that make this tradition so special. It’s an honour to support these awards and to see Icelandic seafood playing a role in such outstanding British culinary experiences.” Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson, Project Manager for Seafood from Iceland

“McWhinney’s Sausages congratulates all the nominees on their hard work and dedication. We have championed the importance of quality and consistency since 1898, and it is an honour to support these awards which recognise the operators who share our vision of upholding the highest possible standards.” Scott McWhinney, sales and marketing director at McWhinney’s Sausages

“The moment is here! Friars Pride would like to give a huge congratulations to the top 10 fish and chip shops who have earned their place in the Takeaway of the Year final at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2026.

“Making it to this stage is no small feat—they have all done an incredible job. Just like these ten brilliant shops, Friars Pride is deeply passionate about the future of fish and chips, which is why we value these awards so highly. They shine a crucial spotlight on the fantastic quality and dedication found across our industry.

“As the proud sponsors of the Takeaway of the Year category, we are thrilled to continue our support for the National Fish & Chip Awards. We can't wait to see everyone in London this February to celebrate this fantastic achievement and crown the winner!” Luke Townsend, marketing manager at Friars Pride  

“Congratulations to all ten takeaways who have made it to the top 10! Reaching this stage of the National Fish & Chip Awards is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence. We’re proud to support these outstanding businesses and celebrate the very best of the UK fish and chip trade.” Georgina Colbeck, marketing director at Henry Colbeck

“The National Fish & Chip Awards continues to showcase the very best our industry has to offer, and reaching the top 10 in the Takeaway of the Year category is a tremendous achievement. Each fish and chip takeaway in this stage has demonstrated exceptional quality, consistency, and commitment to the craft. As one of the main sponsors, V.A. Whitley is proud to support these awards and celebrate the passion and hard work that keep fish and chips at the heart of communities across the UK.” Robert Fernandes, Marketing Manager at V.A. Whitley

About the National Fish & Chip Awards:

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) is the organiser of the National Fish and Chip Awards and 2026 marks the 38^th edition. It is open to all UK fish and chip businesses, with overseas operators welcome to enter the international category. As it’s run by the industry’s association, the expert guidance offered to entrants is of an exceptional level. In-depth scrutiny within the judging process covers every aspect of businesses – food, hygiene, sustainability (produce and operational practices), customer service, and industry knowledge. This ensures the nation receives high-quality food and an overall standout experience, while professionals in the industry have access to opportunities to further their growth. The awards also recognise fish and chip shops which are investing in their communities, making a difference to the environment around them and boosting the local economy. The principal sponsor for the 2026 awards is Seafood from Norway.

About BDSigns & BDigital:

Having been in this industry for 30 years, the company prides itself on being a market leader in bringing brands to life and helping gain the upper hand against competitors. “If you can dream it, we can build it!”

We produce, exterior signs, interior signs, window graphics, PVC banners, labels and stickers, health & safety signs, animated digital menus, menu systems and graphics, wall vinyls, window decals, Vinyl wraps, clothing, neon signs, projection signs, hand painted signs, foam signs, counter branding, café barriers we also build website designs and online ordering systems. Every design is produced in consultation with you. We design until you’re happy with the look for your business and your brand. www.bdsignsnottingham.co.uk 

About Friars Pride:

Friars Pride is an independent, family-owned company with a heritage dating back to 1898. For three generations, we have been a dedicated supplier of quality fats, oils, frozen foods, ambient goods, and fish to the fish and chip and takeaway industry.

We are truly passionate about this trade and believe it’s vital to reinforce the positivity surrounding our fantastic product and its future. We support family businesses like yours with a wide range of high-quality branded products and innovative own-label brands.

To ensure you receive the best possible service, we provide dedicated local telesales and operations teams at each of our depots, along with a large field sales team. This means you have an Area Sales Manager to support your business needs directly.

About Henry Colbeck:

Founded in 1893, Henry Colbeck is the UK’s oldest independent supplier dedicated to the fish and chip industry. Still family-owned and family-managed, we have proudly supported generations of fish friers with quality products, reliable service and trusted advice for over 130 years. From responsibly sourced frozen-at-sea cod and haddock, frying oils and batter flours to packaging, frozen foods, equipment and cleaning materials, everything we do is centred around helping fish and chip shops thrive. Customer care and industry passion remain at the heart of our business. www.colbeck.co.uk

About McWhinney’s Sausages:

McWhinney's Sausages traces its roots back to a butcher's shop in 1898, where the recipe that is known and loved to this day was born. Now in its sixth generation, McWhinney's continues to emphasise the importance of quality above all else to ensure a consistent and delicious sausage every time. www.mcwhinneys.com.

About the Norwegian Seafood Council: 

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) works with the Norwegian seafood industry and local partners to develop markets for Norwegian seafood. The NSC is headquartered in Tromsø and maintains local representatives in Norway's most important international markets. The “Seafood from Norway” mark of origin is a symbol of origin for all Norwegian seafood. To learn more about Norway’s unique location, diverse seafood, generations of experience, and industry-leading sustainable fishing techniques, go to: www.seafoodfromnorway.co.uk  

About Seafood from Iceland:

Seafood from Iceland was founded in 2019. It is a platform for Icelandic fisheries companies to work together on marketing under one brand of origin to maximize the value of the products. The project's main objective is to increase the export value by raising awareness and improving consumers' attitudes toward Icelandic seafood.

For centuries, Iceland and the UK have shared a strong fish trade. Today, frozen-at-sea cod and haddock fillets are among Iceland's top exports to the UK, celebrated for their premium quality, sustainability, and taste.

Seafood from Iceland is proud to sponsor the "Takeaway of the Year" award and collaborate with the fish and chip industry to raise consumer awareness of sustainably sourced Icelandic seafood.

About Smales:

Since 1937 we have been supplying the UK’s fish fryers and caterers with quality fish and seafood. Today we remain a family-owned business, renowned for reliability and the consistent quality of our sustainably sourced fish and seafood. We bring value for money, tradition and innovation to the nation’s table working with elite suppliers from around the globe. https://smales.co.uk/ 

About V.A. Whitley:

V.A. Whitley is the premier supplier to the fish and chip and fast-food trade in the North West of England, North Midlands and North and Mid-Wales.

Founded in 1899 and currently celebrating our 125^th anniversary - we remain an independent family company enjoying fourth generation involvement within our management structure. Throughout our history, we have sought to emulate the high standards set by our founder, providing customers with quality products at competitive prices whilst maintaining excellent levels of service.

Today we offer you a range of products designed to provide your business with ‘one-stop’ supply. Our full range of dried goods, packaging and catering equipment has been complemented by a broad range of top quality-frozen fish, pies and foods.