OLDSWINFORD Fish and Chips has been named as one of the Midlands’ top six fish and chip shops.

But the Hagley Road chippy will now be hoping to ‘batter’ the competition as it takes its ‘plaice’ on the shortlist of the 2017 National Fish and Chip Awards.

Declared as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish frying industry, the awards – organised by Seafish – will see Oldswinford Fish and Chips compete for the ultimate accolade of Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award, and claim the title of ‘best fish and chip shop’ in the country.

To get to this stage, the shop has been appraised across a variety of judging criteria including responsible sourcing policies, marketing and promotional practices and staff training policies.

Throughout the coming weeks, they will be subjected to further judging as they receive mystery shopping assessments by industry experts.

This next stage of the competition will whittle down the line up and establish a UK top 20, before the overall national winner is announced next January after a seven-month long judging process.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: “The Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award is one of the highest honours a fish and chip business can receive.

“Many of our past winners and finalists have gone on to reap substantial benefits, including increased shop footfall and turnover and media fame through overseas industry study trips; some have even launched their own branded products.

“Receiving this award is the pinnacle of many friers’ careers, but only one can take home the title. I wish all contenders the best of luck as they move onto the next stage of judging and look forward to seeing who comes out on top.”

What’s your favourite Stourbridge chippy? Do you think it’s more worthy of a place in the shortlist? Let us know in the comments below, or on our social media pages.