Twenty fish and chip takeaways make industry award semi-finals

It’s the title that many chippies hope to be honoured with and this dream is becoming more of a reality for 20 businesses edging closer to being the 2026 Takeaway of the Year recipient at the National Fish & Chip Awards with Seafood from Norway as principal sponsor.

The Takeaway of the Year category is sponsored by industry-leading names Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinney’s Sausages, Seafood from Iceland, Smales and V.A. Whitley, and following last month’s top 40 shortlist announcement, a tough knock-out round has taken place. The well-versed team of experts conducted close inspections of the chippies’ approaches to produce selection, industry knowledge, quality, sustainability and more, which has now reduced the lineup by half.

The benchmark for excellence is set high within the sector and as the headline event, the National Fish & Chip Awards has earned a revered reputation as a detail-oriented competition which doesn’t compromise when it comes to the preservation of best practice.

“There’s nowhere to hide when a chippy puts itself forward for the National Fish & Chip Awards.” says Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the annual ceremony. “The rigours of the process are designed to challenge, inspire and motivate all who take part and one of the benefits is that businesses receive direction for how to tighten up and truly be outstanding regardless of winning or not.”

He adds: “Fish and chips hold such a special place in peoples’ hearts and it’s our responsibility to provide steer so that things stay that way and these fantastic 20 semi-finalists are great ambassadors for why it’s loved so much.”

These are the 20 nationally recognised takeaways to know about:

Cornwall

Kellaway’s Fish and Chips, Truro

County Durham

Bells Fish and Chips, Durham

Devon

Emerald Fish Bar, Newton Abbott

Taffs Fish and Chips, Torrington

Essex

The Fish Inn, Clacton-on-Sea

Greater Manchester

Taylors, Stockport

Hampshire

Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Eastleigh

Kent

Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate

Lincolnshire

Catch 22, Tattershall

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

Wales

Anglesey

Finney’s Fish and Chips, Benllech

Glamorgan

Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff

Scotland

Aberdeenshire

Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie

Lows Traditional Fish & Chips (Berryden), Aberdeen

Ayrshire

The Fish Works, Largs

The next challenge for the top 20 is the interview stage, with the final 10 hopefuls being revealed next month. The National Fish & Chip Awards ceremony will be hosted on 25 February at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, where the winner will enter the Hall of Fame like the 2025 takeaway champion Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington, County Durham.

Tickets for the National Fish & Chips Awards are available now. Bag yours now at https://thefishandchipawards.com/event-tickets/.

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

Sponsor quotes

“We are delighted to extend a congratulations to the Top 20 takeaways shortlisted for the Takeaway of the Year award at the National Fish & Chip Awards! This is a fantastic achievement and showcases their incredible dedication, passion, and commitment to the fish and chip industry. These businesses are at the heart of their communities and truly highlight the highest standards of our industry. Making it into the top 20 is an exceptional accomplishment, and we wish every single one of them the very best of luck as they progress to the next round. As a family business ourselves, we understand the dedication and passion the family-run businesses within the fish and chip industry have. We are proud to be sponsoring the Takeaway of the Year category.” Luke Townsend, marketing manager at Friars Pride

“Congratulations to the Top 20 takeaways – it’s a huge achievement to make it this far – running a business, whilst proceeding through awards takes a strong commitment and great teamwork. It’s a nerve-wracking time of year as the selection process heats up and the judges put every takeaway through their paces. Top 10 next stop!” Georgina Colbeck, marketing director at Henry Colbeck

“Once again, McWhinney’s Sausages is a proud sponsor of the National Fish & Chip Awards’ Takeaway of the Year category. The dedication, passion, and commitment all the entrants show for the industry, is truly inspiring. Quality is an integral part the fish and chip shop experience, which is why McWhinney’s supports these incredibly important industry awards, and we wish all participants the best of luck.” Scott McWhinney, sales and marketing director at McWhinney’s Sausages

“We are proud to continue our support of the National Fish & Chip Awards and to celebrate the excellence and dedication of professionals who champion Icelandic seafood. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of sourcing high-quality, sustainable fish – something Iceland is deeply committed to. We’re excited to reconnect with industry professionals who share our passion and to showcase the people and values behind Iceland’s world-class seafood.” Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson, Project Manager for Seafood from Iceland

“We’re thrilled to support the National Fish & Chip Awards and celebrate the incredible talent within our industry. Reaching the Top 20 in the takeaway category is a huge achievement, showcasing the passion, quality, and dedication that make these businesses stand out. Congratulations to all the semi-finalists — we can’t wait to see who makes it into the Top 10!” Robert Fernandes, Marketing Manager at V.A. Whitley

“We’re another step closer to the crowning of the winner – these shops are all great examples of takeaways that, through quality and innovation, contribute to leading the industry forward. The Norwegian seafood industry is proud to be an ongoing supporter of this incredible sector, supplying responsibly sourced cod and haddock, as well as emerging species like Norwegian saithe to quality shops and operators across the nation.” Seafood from Norway’s Bjørn-Erik Stabell, UK Country Director for the Norwegian Seafood Council