Newcomer of the Year finalists face the spotlight

They may be fresh on the scene, but three newbie operators are making their presence known, having made it to the final of the Newcomer of the Year category at the 2026 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Announced just today, the three shops are:

The Cottage, Blackpool, Lancashire

Monster Fish & Chips Co., Fort Augustus, Inverness-shire

The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack, South Queensferry, Edinburgh

They have been chosen from a shortlist of five contenders, having impressed judges via a series of rounds which looked at their businesses from every angle, checking that the fish and chips are excellent, standards are high and operations are smooth. They must now undergo one final stage, an anonymous visit to grade the customer experience.

Commenting on the final line-up, Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) and one of the event organisers, said: “Our final three fired up their fryers less than two years ago and are showing huge potential as being leaders in the pack.

“They are bringing fire to the industry, which is so important to have, and the awards process encourages entrepreneurial spirit and the evolution in how fish and chips is enjoyed by the nation while maintaining the traditional foundations. This is a superb final – well done to them!”

Andrew Marriott, UK brand and marketing manager at Frymax, one of the UK’s leading sustainable frying oil specialists and sponsor of the award, praises the startups for making great strides: “In 1954, Frymax was the newcomer to the industry and here we are over 70 years later, demonstrating that a good quality product positioned correctly can stand the test of time.

“Also, it is worth remembering that despite the setbacks of the last few years, fish and chips is, and will remain, the nation’s favourite meal. Our three finalists have recognised the opportunities available to build thriving businesses and have overcome any problems encountered. Let us hope that they all have long and successful careers, like Frymax.”