THREE popular fish and chip shops in north Essex are in the running for a prestigious prize after being named finalists in a nationwide competition.

The Fish Inn, in Clacton, Henley's of Wivenhoe, and Johnny Macs, in Colchester, are shortlisted for the Fish & Chip Takeaway of the Year prize at this year's National Fish and Chip Awards.

Over the last 36 years the annual ceremony has acknowledged and championed eateries and individuals across the UK who deliver outstanding fish and chips. 

The judging process sees dishes tested against the industry's best practices in relation to environmental issues, product knowledge and responsibility as an employer. 

Reacting to the nomination, David Henley, owner of Henley’s, said: “We are absolutely ecstatic to have ‘battered’ the competition. Henley’s is definitely the place to come and get your signature fish and chips. 

Gazette:

“Receiving the actual national fish and chips awards, it would be the pinnacle of 40 years in the industry.

"I would mean a lot not just to me and my wife and family, but also to our staff and customers, who have supported us all the way through these years. 

“Traditionally, people think of fish and chips as a northern dish or something, but fish and chips is more than that it is a dish here in Essex and the coastline.

"Fish and chips are our national dish and bringing the number one fish and chips shop in Great Britain to Wivenhoe would be amazing. It would definitely put Wivenhoe on the map.” 

Lucas Lambrow, owner of the Fish Inn Clacton, is equally as delighted to have been shortlisted for this year's Takeway of the Year prize.

He said: “It is a testament to my team and all the hard work that they put in and a lot of the hard work we put in. 

“We are all really pleased and excited to get to the next phase and we are just looking to raise the bar and the profile of fish and chips, basically to show we are a great national dish and we are trying to champion that.

"Our focus is always to serve great fish and chips based on tradition and quality. 

“We employ staff of all ages and backgrounds and offer them training which helps them. We are here to nurture people and not to put them down.  

“We are finding that the younger generation that are coming through now, they are hungry for work and we’re willing to nurture them.

“It will put Clacton on the map and would help raise the profile of the town."

Andrew Crook, organiser of the awards, added: “Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year is a notoriously difficult category to stand out in, but the panel of experts had many tough decisions to make.  

“However, we’ve selected an exceptional shortlist that showcases the unwavering passion, dedication and excitement that the fish and chip industry brings to British culture.”