Winners of the Yorkshire Evening Post Chippy of the Year competition are revealed

Gurdeep Bains,Mrs Gurminder Bains andKulwant Singh Bains at Robin Hood Fisheries on Leeds Road, winner of the YEP Chippy of the Year award.
Picture by Tony Johnson — Gurdeep Bains,Mrs Gurminder Bains andKulwant Singh Bains at Robin Hood Fisheries on Leeds Road, winner of the YEP Chippy of the Year award. Picture by Tony Johnson

YEP readers have voted Robin Hood Fisheries, at Leeds Road, Wakefield, as their favourite fish and chip shop of 2019, in the popular annual contest.

Gurminder Bains, who has run the shop with her husband Kulwant Singh-Bains and son Gurdeep for 12 years, said: “We were really happy to win, especially after winning last year after coming second in the competition in 2017.

“It is thanks to our regular customers who say our fish and chips are simply the best.

Yorkshire Evening Post Chip Shop of the Year 2019, second place runner up Mother Hubbard's in Harehills. From left Jerry Jarrett, Julie Oxley and Steve Keighley.
Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe — Yorkshire Evening Post Chip Shop of the Year 2019, second place runner up Mother Hubbard's in Harehills. From left Jerry Jarrett, Julie Oxley and Steve Keighley. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe

“We use only the freshest ingredients and all our food is of high quality and made with care and attention. We are delighted and will be celebrating.”

Second place went to Mother Hubbard’s at Harehills Road, in Harehills, where customers said they can’t get enough of their favourite dish.

Manager Steve Keighley said: “As well as great food, made in clean oil and with the best ingredients, we have wonderful staff, who have a brilliant rapport with customers, which is important. People keep coming back for more.”

In third place was Hartley’s at Lowtown, Pudsey, which has a solid reputation for its vegan version of fish and chips and also vegan and vegetarian options.

Ash Mahmood and Nussy Khan at Hartleys in Pudsey in 3rd place in the YEP chippy of the year competition Picture by Tony Johnson

Owner Ash Mahmood, who has run the eatery for a year with wife Mussy Khan, said: “We are delighted to be voted third place.

“We have a great reputation and deliver up to eight miles away.”

The business also helps homeless people, by donating food to the Helping Hands charity.

Captain Thorntons at Dib Lane and Hillycroft Fisheries, at Bruntcliffe Lane, in Morley, completed the YEP Chippy of the Year Top Five winners.

Fish & Chips Facts

There are currently around 10,500 specialist fish and chip shops in the UK; 90 years ago there were 35,000.

British consumers eat around 382 million portions each year. That’s an average of six servings for everyone.

Around 80 per cent of people in the UK visit a fish and chip shop at least once a year. Friday remains the most popular day of the week for buying a fish shop take away.

Ten per cent of the UK potato crop goes to a chippy.