YOU can nominate in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2026
The National Fish & Chip Awards 2026 have launched – and for the first time, the public can nominate their favourite fish and chip shop to enter!
Whether it’s your go-to Friday night spot or the seaside chippy you always recommend to visitors, now’s your chance to give them a push toward national recognition.
You’ve got until Monday 7 July to nominate online:
👉 www.thefishandchipawards.com
Your nomination will tell the business that a customer wants to see them compete. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to convince a brilliant but humble chippy to give it a go.
Krispies did it – and now they’re industry leaders
Plenty of you will know Krispies in Exmouth — and many of you have queued up outside for their famous battered chips!
But back in 2019, they went one step further and won Fish & Chip Shop of the Year. That single win transformed their profile overnight and cemented their place as one of Britain’s best.
Since then, Krispies has expanded, taken on dozens of staff, and become a respected voice in the industry. Owners Tim and Kelly Barnes have even been judges of the awards!
Nominate your local — here’s why it matters
Not every great chippy shouts about itself. Some of the best are quietly tucked into high streets, industrial estates or seaside corners.
They serve incredible food, build strong teams, and stay open through hard winters – but never get the recognition they deserve.
Nominate them now and they’ll be sent a message from the organisers letting them know a customer believes they could win. It’s completely free to enter, and for many small businesses, just being shortlisted can make a real difference.
👉 Nominate your favourite before 7 July
What makes a winner?
Once a business enters, it’s put through a serious judging process: mystery visits, food tastings, hygiene checks, and interviews about sourcing and sustainability. There are 13 categories in total, including:
- Takeaway of the Year
- Restaurant of the Year
- Drywite Young Fish Frier (for under 25s)
- Environment & Sustainability
- New for 2026: Menu Innovation Award
This isn’t just about perfect batter (though that helps). The judges look at the full picture — from staff training to menu clarity, and how the business supports its local area.
A win for the whole town
When a fish and chip shop wins an award like this, it brings visitors into the town, boosts local pride and shines a light on the wider food scene.
Just ask Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington — after winning Takeaway of the Year in 2025, their trade jumped by 30% in a single week.
So if you think your local shop deserves a shot, take 30 seconds and nominate them now. They might just be the next Krispies!
