Hampshire chippy wins PleazMe! Award

26th January 2009, 11:12am

The Trawlerman in Chineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke, has scooped the coveted Heinz PleazMe! trophy at the 21st Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Awards, run by Seafish.

To enter the customer service focused PleazMe! contest, sponsored by Heinz SqueezMe!, fish and chip shops had to demonstrate customer loyalty, excellent point of sale material, varied side orders, innovative promotions and meal deals in-house and locally and use of brands on menus. For the first time, this year, they also had to show impressive product knowledge.

Manager Iain Norrington said: "I am in my element and so pleased for my staff. They all work incredibly hard, from the oldest to the youngest, to keep our customers happy and well-fed, and this is a great recognition for the solid effort they put in each day."

The Trawlerman beat stiff competition from runners-up The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, Perthshire, and Petrou Bros in Chatteris.

Mystery shopper Heinz Foodservice brand manager Shonali Bandopadhyay, said: "I was particularly impressed with the staff's enthusiasm for pre-empting customers' needs, providing free bread and butter and condiments plus meal deals and money off vouchers at quiet times to boost trade, a welcome touch in these harsh, economic times. A thoroughly deserving shop absolutely worth a visit." 

Research shows fish and chip shops in the UK have seen an increase in customers and sales for the first time in five years. The number of people going to fast-food restaurants also rose by 3.2% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year.

With nearly 276 million meals sold each year from over 10,500 shops, fish and chips remains the nation's favourite takeaway.

The awards ceremony was hosted by TV chef Simon Rimmer at the Park Plaza Riverbank in London.

Related Articles:

• 20 Aug 2009 - The search is on to find next PleazMe! Champion
• 14 Aug 2009 - Voting begins in Fish & Chip Shop of the Year contest
• 30 Mar 2009 - Seafood Challenge winners announced

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