Oswaldtwistle's Westend chippy in next round of awards

The National Fish and Chip Awards has just 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.

And Westend Fish and Chips in Blackburn Road in Oswaldtwistle is the only finalist from Lancashire to make the last 20.

Westend Fish and Chips was taken over by the Regan-Hitchen family, consisting of owner and mother Lesley Regan, handyman and father Don Hitchen, their daughter shop manager Deryn and son Thomas, in November 2018.

Since then the family-run business has taken part in National Fish and Chip Day, has been named as a finalist in the Hyndburn Business Awards Family Business category, and has gained its place among the UK’s top fish and chip shops by achieving National Federation of Fish Friers Quality Accreditation, sponsored by Sarsons Vinegar.

Deryn Regan-Hitchen said: "We are delighted. We couldnt believe the news when we found out.

"We work so hard as a team and strive to be the best we can and provide a quality chippy tea to our local community.

"It's been hard currently with rising costs but we have battled through to maintain our delicious standards, we have brought out many alternative and affordable meals to cater to all.

"We are so thankful for our customers for their continued support we couldn't achieve getting this far without them over the years.

"We are so excited and proud to have come this far."

Andrew Crook, president at the National Federation of Fish Friers, which organises the National Fish and Chip Awards, said: “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 just 10 competitors.

The awards ceremony will be held on February 28 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London when the winner will be announced.

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

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