Fairfield chip shop named as one of the nation's best

Fairfield Plaice, on Victoria Park Road, was ranked as one of the top 50 chippies in the UK by industry bible Fry magazine.

The list is based on reviews by mystery diners,who assessed staff friendliness, cleanliness of the takeaway to how knowledgeable staff are about the products on offer.

Points were also awarded for the quality of the food—from the crispness of the batter, to the size and fluffiness of the inside of chips, to the flakiness and texture of the fish.

Shop owner Carl Heery, 51, from New Mills, said: “I’m very proud of what me and the staff have achieved. After all, we are only a small shop tucked away on an estate which is hard to find until you’ve actually been and realise it is quite easy.

“It means that all the standards we set are what is expected of a food business in today’s competitive market place.”

The shop has now made it on to the list every year since the competition began in 2012, making it one of only three in the country to achieve such a feat.

Carl, who bought the shop in 2010, said: “We always operate to a good standard but we used the competition as an opportunity to evaluate the little details which can sometimes get missed.

“We’ve introduced a new low fat batter this year, and had our food independently analysed for the fat content, which is healthier than most.”

Carl has used his previous experience as a wholesaler for other shops to tailor his own to the highest standards.

He said: “Everything we have achieved has also been done with an ethical approach to the environment. All our packaging is either biodegradable or sustainable,—the boxes are made from a by-product of the sugar industry.

“All the waste is recycled through a biomass plant, the fish comes from sustainable fisheries with no links to whaling, and our fryers are designed for maximum efficiency.”

Fry Magazine’s Reece Head said: “It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and passion to ensure staff perform day-in-day-out in order to impress our judges when they come in unannounced.

“Shops on the list go over and above the everyday requirements to deliver exceptional food matched with service and atmosphere.”