Scottish fish and chip shop named best in UK

The Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife has been named the 2008 Fish & Chip Shop of the Year.

The chippy has already attracted quite a following with Prince William a regular during his time studying at St Andrews university and Hollywood stars Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall and Tom Hanks having all sampled its wares.

Shop owners Robert and Alison Smith were named as winners of the title having made it through judging, a customer vote, taste tests, two shop inspections and a presentation to a panel of industry experts.

Chip shops are judged on not only the quality of their product but also their sourcing, customer service, food hygiene, staff training and community spirit.

Alison Smith said: "Being named best in Scotland for the fourth time was fantastic for us, but claiming the national title has always been our ambition."

Colmans of South Shields, Tyne-on-Wear came second in the competition and Thornton Fisheries in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire was third.

Research from seafood industry association Seafish, which organises the Chip Shop of the Year competition, suggests chip shops have prospered in the UK recession as consumers trade down.

Figures produced for Seafish by research firm NPD Crest show sales at the UK's 9,500 chip shops increased by 2% to £717m from March to October 2008.

Hospitality operators fear the worst as recession is confirmed >>

Townhead Café wins Fish & Chip Shop of the Year >>
Tom Aikens restaurant under new ownership after being put into administration >>

Mark Fuller takes fish and chips to the UAE >>

By Chris Druce

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.