National Fish & Chip Awards champions chippies for sustainability prize

The National Fish & Chip Awards has confirmed that three fish and chip businesses in Cornwall and Scotland are the 2026 finalists vying to secure the notable Environment and Sustainable Business accolade.

The UK fish and chip industry will gather in February for the London-based ceremony to honour businesses and individuals for their outstanding achievements in the sector. The Environment and Sustainable Business category provides a platform to highlight the chippies that are leading the way with sustainability deeply rooted in the heart of their operations and a commitment to environmental performance.

To make it this far in the competition, the entrants have had to hit benchmarks set by industry experts on matters which include supply chain responsibility, strategic decision making, employee upskilling, operational efficiency, as well as waste management, product sourcing and promoting customer engagement and awareness.

The chippies hoping to receive the crown from 2025 winner, North Wales’ Finney’s Benllech in Anglesey, are:

Cornwall

Harbour Lights, Falmouth

Scotland

Ayrshire

The Fish Works, Largs

Perthshire

The Real Food Café, Tyndrum

Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the 14-category awards bear the standard for consistency and quality at the highest levels for fish and chip businesses, with multi-stage assessments that examine every aspect of the contenders’ values and operations.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, says: “This year’s Environment and Sustainable Business competitors are some of the most outstanding fish and chip shops for demonstrating that sustainability goes beyond environmental duty and is a fundamental factor for long-lasting success and growth. Each has shown the judging panel a commendable breadth of ethical and strategic know-how which is proving to be driving innovation, resilience and milestone achievements – congratulations are in order!”

The National Fish & Chip Awards’ principal sponsor Seafood from Norway is also sponsoring theEnvironment and Sustainable Business prize. Its UK Country Director for the Norwegian Seafood Council, Bjørn-Erik Stabell, comments: “It’s great to see these operators recognised for embracing sustainability and ensuring it sits at the heart of their businesses – integrated into every element of what they do. For us in Norway, sustainable practices are a cornerstone of our seafood industry, ensuring we can supply high-quality cod and haddock to British fish and chip shops today and for generations to come.

“As a long-term supporter of this award, we look forward to crowning the winner in February and working alongside them to champion this forward-thinking approach across the industry.” 

Mike and Carol Hulme, owners of Finney’s Benllech, have had a whirlwind time since receiving the award: “Winning the Environment and Sustainable Business award in 2025 meant more to us than we ever expected. Our sustainability journey didn’t start as a big plan, it began with small changes, lots of learning, and a genuine desire to do better for our community and our coastline. To have that recognised was incredibly special.

“Since winning, we’ve noticed a real difference in how customers connect with us. People ask more questions, they’re more engaged, and they genuinely care about the choices we’re making. It’s given us a huge boost of confidence and reminded us why we started this journey in the first place.

“To all the 2026 finalists – enjoy every second. It’s such a rewarding experience. Celebrate how far you’ve come, be proud of what you’ve achieved, and know that whatever happens, the work you’re doing truly matters. We’re wishing you all the luck in the world.”

The overall winner will be announced on 25 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.

Tickets for the industry’s 38^th annual ceremony are available at https://thefishandchipawards.com/event-tickets/. For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.