Townhead Café wins Fish & Chip Shop of the Year

Fish and chip shop the Townhead Café has been named national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year.

Gordon and Sandra Hillan, owners of the shop in the border town of Biggar in Scotland, received the award from celebrity chef, Ainsley Harriott, at the Royal Garden Hotel in London this week.

For the first time in the competition's history, entrants were judged on their planning for a sustainable future for the industry.

Considerations were taken into their use of sustainable species and the measures they have in place to encourage customers to try something new.

Andy Gray, of the national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition, said that The Townhead Café showed an "excellent example of a high-quality fish and chip shop using innovation and responsible practices to serve the best possible products to customers. They will be valuable ambassadors for the industry."

Gordon Hillan, who has worked in the fish and chips industry for nearly 30 years, said: "This is a true honour to be crowned the UK's top chippy. I have been working towards this goal for many years and I'm delighted to be taking it back to Scotland. Running the shop is hard work but this victory proves it's worth all the effort."

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By Jo Chapman

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