A FISH and chip restaurant near Sherborne is ‘battering’ it out to be named the best restaurant in the UK after being shortlisted as one of the country’s top 10 chippy’s.

The National Fish & Chip Awards named Something Else Fishy in Milborne Port one of the top restaurants.

Nicki Else, who owns the restaurant with her husband Martyn, said: “We are super proud of the staff and all the hard work that has gone into getting the restaurant how we want it to be.

“It’s an amazing achievement to be top 10 in the country when you think of how many fish and chip restaurants there are.”

For the recipe for success, Mrs Else said: “It is all about having good quality products and keeping everything simple but different. And great customer service. I think you would be hard to find better service. A lot of our customers now are friends and there’s always a lovely atmosphere.”

To get to this stage and secure a place in the coveted shortlist, the acclaimed restaurant faced appraisal by industry experts on fish sourcing policies, restaurant facilities and appearance, staff training and development and menus. Over the coming weeks, the restaurants will be tried and tested by mystery shoppers.

The next stage will whittle down the top 10 to the top five UK fish and chip restaurants that will compete for the top accolade to eventually be presented at the awards ceremony held in London in January.

Award sponsor Alan Pearce, field sales manager at Goldensheaf, said: “As the UK’s leading batter mix producer, with a heritage of over 60 years, we can identify with the importance of being recognised as a quality performer within the fish and chip industry.

“This award category rewards those that provide an outstanding fish and chip dining experience for their customers, while continually striving to improve their standards and diversify their offering.”

Marcus Coleman, chief executive of Seafish – which runs the awards, said: “This award recognises our country’s best fish and chip restaurants for their commitment and high level of professionalism across all aspects of running a successful restaurant.

“The quality of entries this year has been outstanding; I know the judges were extremely impressed with the businesses’ in-depth knowledge and thorough understanding of our industry – it was a tough job determining a final 10.”

The National Fish & Chip Awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK. They celebrate the Great British tradition of fish and chips, showcasing the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses.