COUNTY DURHAM FISH AND CHIP BUSINESS NAMED BEST MULTIPLE AT INDUSTRY AWARDS

County Durham fish and chip business named Best Multiple at industry awards. The National Fish and Chip Awards has revealed Bells Fish and Chips as the recipient of the Multiple Operator of the Year award for 2024.

The chip shop which has locations across the North East was able to shake off two other businesses – Haven, Cook’s Fish and Chips and the Chesterford Group – in the rigorous elimination stages.

Sector specialists turned up the heat to grill the hopefuls on their industry knowledge, sustainability and environmental approaches, employer standards, with mystery visits concluding the high-pressure process.

Awards organiser and President of the National Federation of Fish Friers, Andrew Crook, says:

“Congratulations to Bells Fish and Chips, a true ambassador for excellence in the UK fish and chip industry. To keep the same high degree of practice, standards and dedication to quality food in multiple locations is not something that is easily done.

“We are so happy for the team to win Multiple Operator of the Year and it’s wonderful that the industry can draw inspiration from such a visionary in the game especially when the last few years have been more challenging than ever.”

Pacific West Foods, a frontrunner for quality and innovation in the frozen seafood sector and one of the leading suppliers of raw and value-added seafood, sponsored the category. Its Managing Director Martin Finegan adds:

“This particular sector has been a cornerstone of our business for many years and it’s encouraging to see this industry constantly looking to improve its overall offer either by improving quality or using innovation to provide ultimate customer satisfaction.

“It has not been easy over the last few years with all the challenges it has faced, so it’s even more important to celebrate these successes and Pacific West Foods is delighted to be associated to this integral part of the QSR sector.”

Bells Fish and Chips, which also won the 2024 Field to Frier award, has been invited to visit Norway in June for a once in a lifetime experience with Seafood from Norway.

The two-day study trip will take fish and chip shop teams on an unforgettable exploration of the Norwegian fishing industry, experiencing the cold, clear waters aboard the state-of-the-art longliner and Danish seine vessel, Østerfjord, to learn more about environmental and sustainable practices that ensure UK fish and chip shops are supplied with the freshest, highest quality produce.

They will also meet leading industry authorities and stakeholders to find out how fish stocks are sustained, as well as learning about frozen at sea white fish.

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