A Teesside-based entrepreneur has reeled in another award for his fish and chip shop.

Trenchers Restaurant in Whitley Bay, owned by Paul Mackings, has netted the top spot in The National Fish & Chip Awards 2020 announced last week.

The Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award category is open to all fish and chip businesses across the UK which have a sit-in restaurant – and the title is now in Mr Mackings’ net.

The CEO of Wynyard Hall was quick to praise his team.

He said: “The staff at Trenchers in Whitley Bay have brought further great recognition to the area and they have all worked brilliantly as a team to bring this fantastic award back home to the North-East. Last year our operation in Whitby also received the much coveted title as the 2019 winner, and now we have scooped it again for the company – this time further up the coast at Whitley Bay.

“When we won the UK title in 2019 over at Whitby, it attracted thousands of new customers across the year that had travelled from every corner of the globe to sample what we have to offer.’’

The UK awards were organised by Seafish, the public body supporting the £10bn UK seafood industry.

Mr Mackings added: “My company only recently completed the huge task of transforming the iconic Spanish City, in Whitley Bay and we placed Trenchers underneath the much-loved dome.

“We broke all records last summer in there and now with this latest award as 2020 winners we really will take the business to a whole new level. It is more fantastic news for the area. Business is booming and with it brings the possibility of more new jobs for the region - and that is always welcome news.’’

Kyle Mackings, CEO of the two Trenchers restaurants, said: “I would just like to thank our great teams working to bring this title back to our area for year two, and to the customers that continue to support us in the Trenchers restaurants in Whitby and Whitley Bay.

“So many lovely messages arrive back to us via our customers and the comments on social media are simply brilliant.

“It is always a thrill to see the North East reflected so positively when seeing the feedback in the national media spotlight’

Billed as a "worthy winner", Trenchers scored highly with judges following mystery visits to the restaurant.

An awards spokesman said: "Key award judging criteria included great customer service, superb fish and chips and maintaining a first-class dining experience.

"Judges also looked for excellence in menu development and innovation; responsible sourcing policies, staff training and marketing activity. Trenchers consistently impressed the judges, excelling in every category."