Let the ‘batter’ commence! Final 10 takeaways named at 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.  

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