The 2021 National Fish & Chip Awards has been cancelled due to the current situation with coronavirus in the UK which has led to many fish and chip shops and restaurants temporarily closing. The announcement was made by competition organisers Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, says Seafish in a press release.
Entries for the 2021 National Fish & Chip Awards were due to open on 1 May 2020, with judging to take place in late summer ahead of the awards ceremony next January. In light of COVID-19 restrictions and the resulting closure of many UK fish and chip businesses, Seafish have decided to cancel this year’s competition, and turn its focus to helping fish and chip businesses to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Marcus Coleman, CEO at Seafish said, “We’re aware of the huge impact COVID-19 is having on fish and chip businesses across the UK. In over thirty years of running the National Fish & Chip Awards, the industry has never faced such a difficult situation and it’s very sad that so many shops have been forced to temporarily close their doors over recent weeks.
“Although we’re unable to go ahead with the awards this year, we are fully committed to supporting the UK fish and chip sector through this difficult time. We are focusing our efforts on how we can support all the shops and restaurants that bring us our fish and chips and ensure everyone can get back to enjoying our favourite dish as soon as possible.”
“Some shops, including many previous finalists and winners of the National Fish & Chip Awards, have remained open to run home delivery and collection only services, to ensure people can still enjoy the best fish and chips available. Their creativity, innovation and spirit are truly remarkable. We hope to incorporate all of this great work in the awards programme for next year. With our valued sponsors and partners we will continue to support the shops in these trying times.”
To find out about the awards visit the National Fish & Chip Awards section of the Seafish website or contact the Seafish project team directly on fishandchips@seafish.co.uk.
Seafish is working on a range of initiatives to support seafood businesses during coronavirus, including collating information on how businesses are being impacted and using this to inform regular updates to government. It is also regularly updating information on support and advice available on its website.
About The National Fish & Chip Awards
Running since 1988, The National Fish & Chip Awards are one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK. The awards programme celebrates the British tradition of fish and chips, showcasing the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses in multiple award categories. The flagship ‘Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award’ is one of the highest industry honours to receive as a fish and chip business and previous winners have gone on to great success.
About Seafish
Seafish is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), supporting the £10bn UK seafood industry from catch to plate. Our vision is for a seafood industry that is truly thriving and we use our unique position, right at the heart of industry, to work in partnership with businesses, Government and other stakeholders to make progress together. We are funded by a levy on the first sale of seafood in the UK which we use to deliver research, campaigns and events, business and industry support tools, information networks and training for the seafood industry.
Watch our film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecz-hy86ras
Visit our website www.seafish.org or follow us on Twitter @seafishUK and LinkedIn.