Three UK fish and chip shops shortlisted for community award

19th January 2010, 11:57am

Metro Fish Bar in Bury, Lancashire, will go head to head with The Real Food Café in Tyndrum and Alf's Fish & Chips of Weymouth to compete for the Contribution to the Local Community Award at the national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition, organised by Seafish.

The team at Metro Fish Bar, led by David and Susan Winfield, has played an active role in supporting local charities and the shop regularly provides up to 40 free three-course meals for community groups to sell in order to raise money for charities. The bar has also been responsible for organising raffles and auctions to boost charity funds.

Meanwhile in 2009 Alf's Fish & Chips raised more than £5,000 for local charities and John and his wife regularly host special events for local pensioners where they can tuck into free fish and chips. Last year they provided lunch for 60 children from Julia's House Hospices across Dorset.

And the Real Food Café, owned by Sarah Heward, are keen supporters of local events and have taken part in a variety of charity initiatives. Throughout the year, the shop has sponsored community projects and events including The Killin Highland Games Hill Race, The Highland Fling and The West Highland Way Race. 

The shop also has a policy of buying only from local farmers and artisan suppliers to contribute to the local economy.

Nikki Hawkins, project manager for the competition, said: "Each year we see fish and chip shops across the UK becoming increasingly involved in community activities and supporting local events.

"The high calibre of entries this year has made the competition all the more exciting, with fish and chip shops throughout the UK showing how they have worked with their community to make a genuine contribution to local life.  The Real Food Café is the perfect example of a successful community business and is a role model for small businesses throughout the country."

Related Articles:

• 09 Jul 2007 - Search is on for the UK's best chippie

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@eatoutmagazine.co.uk.