A FISH and chip shop in Droitwich has proven it’s among the top fryers in the country by achieving a Quality Award from the Nation Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF).

Merchants Fish Bar on Coleman Road is the first fish and chip shop in the town to receive the mark of excellence, and only the fifth across the whole of Worcestershire, with two of the others also being branches of Merchants in Redditch and Bewdley.

Before it could be given the award an independent assessor from the NFFF had to come out to the Droitwich shop for a strict inspection, checking it was clean and in good condition. They also observed how the food was prepared, stored and handled, looking at staff hygiene, pest controls and health and safety, before ensuring that the food being served was top notch and the level of customer service was high.

Manager Richard Elzler was thrilled by the award. He said: “It’s like an exam, you have to put yourself forward for it, but I felt like we were ready for it. I’m so proud, nobody else in the area has got it. We’re probably the first to get it in the area.”

The award recognises the UK’s best tasting fish and chips, produced in a first class environment, and using environmentally sustainable fish stocks.