Organised by seafood industry body Seafish, the competition rewards the best performing chippies in the UK – those reaching the highest standards of quality, customer service, innovation and food hygiene. Being crowned the UK’s top chippy is regarded as the industry’s highest honour and regional winning shops can expect to see an increase of up to 40 per cent in business.

Customers had until Saturday 21 July to vote for their favourite shops. Voters even had the chance to win free fish and chips for a year as all nominations are entered into a prize draw.

The competition is being sponsored for the second year by Heinz SqueezMe! and receives continued support from the Frozen at Sea Fillets Association and Seafood Scotland.

The top five shops in 19 areas across the UK who receive the most customer nominations will be visited over a seven-week period by mystery judges.

The best fish and chip shop in each of those 19 areas will be announced in September and then further judging will determine the top 10 shops in the UK. The grand final will be held in London in January 2008.

For the first time in the history of the competition, entrants will be also be judged on their commitment to building a sustainable future for the industry. Andy Gray, competition judge and project manager at Seafish said: “We have a range of very strict judging criteria in place and it’s important that fish and chip shops are aware of the issues facing the industry.

“The general public are becoming increasingly aware of the sources of the seafood they eat and shops must take that into account if they want to run a successful business.”

The Viking in Largs was recently completely refurbished by Bill Scott of G.G. Set Builders using Rearo products for the walls and counters. Bill is a legend in the Italian community for his high standard of work in the fast food shopfitting industry. Bill is currently using Rearo products to fit out Fernando's chip shop in Cormiston Road, Edinburgh.

You can contact Bill Scott for a free quotation for shopfitting works on 07702 070154