COUNTY DURHAM FISH AND CHIP RESTAURANT BILLED AS THE UK’S BEST AT AWARDS CEREMONY

County Durham fish and chip restaurant billed as the UK’s best at awards ceremony. The National Fish & Chip Awards recently celebrated the best in business and Bell’s Fish and Chips (Framwellgate Moor) in Durham has received the highly acclaimed Restaurant of the Year prize.

The finalists – which also included first runner up Malt and Anchor in Gloucestershire, followed by Trenchers Spanish City in Tyne and Wear – eagerly waited on the results of the integral category which recognises the nation’s restaurants that operate at A-grade level when it comes to scrumptious chippy meals, customer service, sustainability, best practice, and more.

Months of thorough assessments, interviews and anonymous audits devised by major players in the fish and chip sector saw the candidates being stretched and tested, which has now set all-new elevated benchmarks with the purpose of motivating the wider industry to keep pace.

Bell’s Fish and Chips (Framwellgate Moor) was the leader of the pack when it came to representing excellence, reputation, and quality, therefore gaining the five-star seal of approval from the industry.

The event host was television’s Matt Baker who presented the Restaurant of the Year award to Managing Director Graham Kennedy who says of the grand victory: “We are delighted to be recognised as Restaurant of the Year at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025, and I am bursting with pride after 38 years of hard work in our amazing industry.

 “We invest the best in our restaurant, from staff training to quality produce, and we are so proud of everything we achieve daily. This is a relatively new restaurant, and it is unbelievable how much our team has grown and developed over the past few years. Our team is amazing and gives it all every day to provide each and every customer the best possible fish and chip experience. We would like to thank them all for their hard work.”

The awards ceremony is arranged by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) and its President Andrew Crook speaks of his respect for the winner:

“Bell’s Fish and Chips (Framwellgate Moor) is a superb ambassador for the fish and chip sector and it’s a true honour to crown it with the Restaurant of the Year award.

“The team goes all-out to serve amazing food and creating a dining experience to match. It’s much-loved in the community and to successfully run a business at such a high level without compromise in the current climate is to be applauded. We are delighted for this outcome.”

Independent, family-owned businesses – Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck and V.A. Whitley – which supply the UK fish and chip industry with goods and services, and collectively make up the Q Partnership, were the sponsors of the category.

Luke Townsend, marketing manager at Friars Pride, passes on his compliments: “A massive congratulations to the Framwellgate Moor branch of Bell’s Fish and Chips for winning Restaurant of the Year. This business highlights what the industry is all about, passion for fish and chips with a high level of service. All the finalists were worthy winners, they have all shown commitment to the sector with their high-quality food and products.

“Bell’s Fish and Chips will be a great ambassador for the industry, and may the team enjoy the success. We would also like to thank the NFFF for putting on another great awards and we look forward to encouraging as many restaurants as possible to enter in the future.”

Georgina Colbeck, director at Henry Colbeck, is full of admiration:

“Congratulations to the Restaurant of the Year winner Bell’s Fish and Chips at Framwellgate Moor! The judges have scrutinised every aspect of the business and it has excelled in every criteria. Fish and chip restaurants are much-needed pillars within communities all over the country and we are delighted that we have been able to celebrate the winner and the amazing finalists today.”

Robert Fernandes, marketing manager at V.A. Whitley shares words of high praise:

“We extend our huge and heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Restaurant of the Year, Bell’s Fish and Chips (Framwellgate Moor). To be crowned the winner at the National Fish & Chip Awards particularly – with the standards being as high as they are – is a fantastic achievement!

“The dedication to quality and tradition shines through in every dish it serves. The whole team truly captures what makes our culinary heritage so rich and what makes our beloved fish, chips and mushy peas such a special dish. Here’s to its continued success and to keeping the spirit of this wonderful British favourite alive!”

“V.A. Whitley has been delivering excellent service and quality products to the fish and chip trade in England and Wales for over 125 years. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all entrants of the awards.”

For over a decade, the Norwegian seafood industry has proudly supported the fish and chip industry through the National Fish & Chip Awards. This year, Seafood from Norway will again welcome award winners to an exclusive study trip to Norway for an immersive three-day experience, highlighted by a day program aboard Langøy, one of Norway’s advanced frozen-at-sea vessels. This trip underscores the shared commitment to sustainability and excellence between Norway’s fishing industry and the UK’s fish and chip community.

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