A CHESTER fish and chip shop has won a prestigious industry award placing it amongst the top chippies in the UK.

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) the trade body that represents the nation’s fish and chip shops, has presented Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Upton with its Quality Accreditation.

The scheme - sponsored by Sarsons Vinegar - is targeted at raising standards and enhancing the profile of restaurants in the fish and chip industry and rewards shops that provide good quality products and high standards of hygiene, as well as friers who show a high level of competence.

To qualify, each shop must go through a virtual inspection by an NFFF Approved Assessor who assesses the shop’s presentation, hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and most importantly the quality of the cooked product.

Fish & Chips @Weston Grove said: "We are delighted to gain our place in the scheme. To be recognized as one of the top fish and chip shops by the NFFF is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff, who I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the continued hard work and efforts to maintain our excellent reputation.

"I would personally like to thank all our customers, new and old. The support and encouragement they have offered has been great. It has motivated us to maintain our high standards which have been recognised with this accreditation."

The NFFF say the accreditation sets the new benchmark for quality within the industry. It will signal to the consumer that they can buy with confidence where the award is displayed, and it will encourage more outlets to raise their standards.

NFFF President Andrew Crook explained: "The NFFF Quality Accreditation scheme is extremely comprehensive. Food safety is a key area that we examine together with other key aspects of the business including the preparation and cooking equipment, to the management of paperwork and the traceability of fish."

"Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove clearly takes pride in where it sources its fish and potatoes from,” said Andrew. "Achieving the NFFF Quality Accreditation provides reassurance to customers that they are being served cooked food using high-quality ingredients."

Bryan Carroll, Sarson’s Sales, and Marketing Director explained: "Obtaining the Quality Accreditation award is a coveted achievement. Congratulations to Fish & Chips @Weston Grove for joining an elite selection of fish and chip shops who have proven their commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality.

"The Scheme is an exceptionally beneficial process, rewarding and shining a line on sites leading the way within the industry and providing their customers complete peace of mind. To see the number of sites being Quality Accredited growing is extremely rewarding and makes us incredibly proud to sponsor the scheme."

The Quality Accreditation is valid for one year and retention is dependent on maintaining standards, which are validated by appointed assessors of the NFFF. The award confirms that Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove has proven that it consistently serves some of the UK's finest fish and chips.