A GRAPPENHALL chippy has been shortlisted for Fish and Chip Shop of the Year for the third year running.

The Big Blue in Knutsford Road is hoping to batter the competition in the annual awards – dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the fish and chips industry – organised by Seafish. Sixty chippies have been shortlisted to compete for the title in 10 regions, including six in the north west competition area.

Others include The Codfather in Northwich, Seniors in St Annes, Lancashire, Fylde Fish Bar in Southport, Frydays of Kendal and Angel Lane Chippie in Penrith.

Over the coming weeks the shops will be whittled down to a top 20, then top 10 before the winner is announced at The National Fish and Chip Awards’ 31st anniversary ceremony in London on January 24, 2019.

As well as its quality, The Big Blue, which opened six years ago, is also known for its wider range of fish than some chippies.

Cod is the most popular but the shop sells haddock, lemon sole, plaice, hake, seabass and king prawns.

But the top shops are judged on more than just the fish and chips.

Sustainability, menu innovation, catering for special dietary requirements, customer service and marketing are all part of the package of what makes these chippies the best in the country.

Over the coming weeks the shops will undergo a further phase of mystery diner judging inspections in order to whittle the top 60 down.

Scott Davies, owner of The Big Blue, said: “I’m over the moon to get to this stage again. We have regular customers travelling from as far away as Knutsford from one side and Great Sankey from the other. This is proof it’s all about quality.”

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: “This award category showcases the leading fish and chip takeaways across the land, the shops that we all love to buy our fish supper from.

“The calibre of finalists in this year’s top 60 is extremely high and provides a true representation of the quality found within the fish and chip sector, perfectly summing up why British fish and chips are, and will always be, the best in the world.

“With 60 shortlisted shops to choose from, why not take a trip to your nearest contender to see how you rate it?”

Reigning champions David and Nick Miller of Millers Fish and Chips in Haxby, North Yorkshire, added: “To be crowned the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year at January’s National Fish and Chip Awards was an amazing experience.

“It kicked off an exceptional year for our business, which has been in the family for 77-years.”