A WOMAN’s venture into the fish and chip industry has paid off after gaining recognition at the North Yorkshire Business Awards.

Just eight months ago, Pam Jefferson of Swainby, near Stokesley, said she never could have imagined that she would be running her own fish and chip takeaway.

Ms Jefferson, took over the running of the Osmotherley Fish and Chip takeaway, in the village near Northallerton, when she turned 60, following an opportunity for its owner to hand over the reins to someone else.

Before this, the sole trader had no prior experience running a fish and chi[ business and said she “did not know what to expect.”

She said: “I used to work in the village, the fish shop became available and I thought ‘how hard can it be,’ it turns out it’s very hard.”

“But I do like a challenge and the Fish and Chip shop closed because the owner retired.”

The Northern Echo:

The fish and chip takeaway can serve up to 30 people on a Friday evening

Ms Jefferson said the closure of the fish and chip takeaway affected the village as it is the only type of business in the village and immediate surrounding areas.

She said: “The village was missing it and it needed to be open again.

“I took it on in July, last year, and I’ve never looked back really. I have added new things to the menu, I have given customers what they want.”

After development of a new menu, and further business tweaks, she was awarded ‘Best Fish and Chip Shop’ by the North Yorkshire Business Awards at an event at York Racecourse in March.

The business was subject to a thorough grilling of its online reviews and a surprise visit from a mystery shopper who assessed the quality of the food and menu.

Ms Jefferson said the voting structure meant the shop additionally assessed on the quality of each vote, and not the number of votes received.

She said: “I have some really good feedback and have had some good support. I am so grateful to everyone who voted. It’s rated on quality of the vote not the amount – nobody could have been more shocked at the time.

“I’m a sole trader with four staff who help out on a weekend. I thought I am never going to win this – I’m in the middle of nowhere, there’s three pubs and a fish shop.”

Ms Jefferson said the takeaway serves more than 30 people on a Friday evening, when the takeaway is at its busiest.

Ms Jefferson added: “I will go on for as long as I can, to continue what I am doing.”

The takeaway will now go on to the England national equivalent of the awards where it will go up against fierce rivals from across the country.