SOUTH Cumbrian fish and chip shops have been named among the best in the United Kingdom.

Frydays of Kendal was one of those who made Fry Magazine’s Top 50 Fish & Chip Takeaways 2021.

Janice Dickens, who runs the business with husband Martin, said: “We are consistently getting into national fish and chip awards.

“It is all down to hard work – hard work, passion and a good team. It’s nice and a bit of validation that we are doing something right.”

Needing to impress a mystery diner to make the rankings, those who entered had to make a good impression and were marked on more than 40 aspects of the business.

The pass mark is set high at 97 per cent, with Frydays achieving 100 per cent.

Mrs Dickens said: “They praised how smart our staff looked, they said ‘absolutely amazing’ on the fish, and ‘gorgeous’ on the chips.”

Another business celebrating being one of Britain’s best is Shap Chippy, also making the top 50 ranking.

Their mobile unit Shappy Wheels, based out of Appleby, was named as one of the UK’s Top 10 Mobile Units – the only mobile operator in Cumbria to make the list.

Shap Chippy scored an impressive 99 per cent, with the mystery diner praising the exceptional high quality of the food, great service and outstanding Covid-safe measures. Shappy Wheels achieved an amazing 98 per cent with the pass mark set high at 92 per cent for mobile units.

Matt Phillips, co-owner of Shap Chippy/Shappy Wheels, said: “We are over the moon not just to win one but two awards. It's truly amazing – we are so proud of our teams that work so hard every day”

Co-owner Ashley Phillips said: “To achieve this in our first year of setting up Shappy Wheels is so great and a true testament of how hard the staff work!

"It’s very different being on the road to the shop, but we love it and so do our many customers!”