A fish and chip shop is battling it out to become the best newcomer venue in the UK at the 2024 National Fish and Chip Awards.

Ings Fish and Chips, who are based on Embleton Court in Redcar, might have not been open longer than a lot of other venues in Redcar and the North Yorkshire and North East coast, but it's now in a shortlist of five aiming to be the best newcomer venue. 

After making the shortlist of 'Newcomer of the Year', the Redcar-based chippy has been assessed against a tough set of criteria to determine their level of industry knowledge, environmental and sustainability practices, employer standards and of course, their ability to produce the tastiest chip shop favourites. 

The Northern Echo: Ings has been highlighted as one of the best newcomers in the UKIngs has been highlighted as one of the best newcomers in the UK (Image: PA Media)

Alongside Ings, A Salt ’n' Battery in Crowle (Lincolnshire), Evans Fish Bar, Powys (Wales), Mackerel Sky, Stamford Bridge (North Yorkshire) and Red Cloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven (Scotland) have all been nominated for newcomers of the year

The businesses, which all opened their doors on or after January 1, 2022, will now battle to be the best in the UK.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, which organises the awards, comments: “Each and every business that entered the category has been very impressive.

"To be acknowledged for an award in less than two years of trading in such a tough climate for the fish and chip industry is demonstrative of just how hard these friers have worked to get their businesses up and running.

"The shortlisted chippies have set the bar even higher this year and we’re excited to see how the next stage pans out.”

ADM/Frymax is sponsoring the Newcomer of the Year award, and its UK brand and marketing manager Andrew Marriott is also full of praise for the contenders.

“To launch a quick-service business post-pandemic and during an economic crisis is not for the faint-hearted and what persistence, willpower and impressive determination these exceptional chip shops are displaying," he said.

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“Supplying our oil to UK chip shops for over 70 years, Frymax has been and is an integral part of the trade so seeing exciting new arrivals like these makes us even more proud to support the industry.”

The top five are angling to make it to the final three but will first have to ace the mystery shop visit and interview process which will take place shortly.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on February 28 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.