Oliver’s Chippy in Warton, Lancashire, is the winner of the first-ever Peter Hill Award, an accolade introduced this year to recognise newcomers to the industry, encourage new talent and promote excellence.
The traditional family-run chippy, owned by Gillian and Arron Jarvis, was chosen by the judges for its huge community focus and passion. Driven by Gillian and Arron’s autistic son, the business is disability-aware and promotes inclusivity with its autism-friendly ethos and wheelchair accessibility.
In the past year, Oliver’s Chippy has fed over 1,000 local children for free; has helped many food banks; offered a 10% Blue Light discount; and each week run a competition to giveaway two free meals. This was considered quite something by the judges especially in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
Commenting on their achievement, Gillian said: “Wow, we’re over the moon to win The Peter Hill Award! We’re enormously proud to be in the fish and chip trade, and we’re delighted our community-focused shop helps put Warton on the map in Fylde. Our son, Oliver, inspires us every day, and we created Oliver’s Chippy so he has employment or if he cannot manage to work in the shop, financial security. We work very hard to operate a small business that cares, and thank everyone who supports us. It’s an honour to win this inaugural Award, which has very special meaning. Thank you Middleton Foods.”
Oliver’s Chippy wins a host of prizes worth £10,000. This includes £1,000 worth of Middleton Foods stock; design of their own, ‘own label’ bespoke batter mix; two places at the KFE School of Frying Excellence; two places on the NFFF Fish Frying course; 1-1 ForkedUp training for three months; two tickets to the Fish & Chip Shop of the Year Awards 2024; a year’s’ support from Middleton Foods’ very own Batter Boys and additional support for National Fish and Chip Day 2024.
The inaugural award was a hotly run contest, with five runners-up: Angell’s Fisheries, Newark; Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther; Harrison’s Fish & Chip Co., Oxford; Jojo’s Van, Stafford; and Toll Bar Fish & Chips, Stoney Middleton.
The Peter Hill Award was launched by Middleton Foods in memory of its late CEO, Peter Hill, to reflect Peter’s passion for his beloved fish and chip industry.
Speaking about the winner, Ryan Baker, sales manager at Middleton Foods, said: “It’s with great pleasure we announce Oliver’s Chippy as the winner of The Peter Hill Award! Peter loved the industry so much and was always keen to support and nurture new talent in the trade he adored. The Peter Hill Award recognises newcomers to the industry, encourages new talent, promotes quality and excellence and allows us to give something back to the trade – Oliver’s Chippy and everything it stands for really stood out to our judges. We know Peter would be delighted they’ve been chosen as the winner. Huge congratulations to Oliver’s Chippy.”
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