Gosport MP crowns chippie competition winners
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has announced that Scott’s Plaice in Bridgemary has won the constituency’s Best Fish & Chip Shop Competition for 2025; the winner being chosen after a tense two weeks of public nominations and a fierce head-to-head public vote featuring five finalists running until last Sunday (June 29).
The competition was launched to mark National Fish & Chips Day on June 6 with every ‘chippie’ in Gosport invited to attend, with Caroline hoping to find the local area’s most loved site. It also aimed to draw attention to the issues faced by ‘chippies’ across the UK due to increased overheads since the Autumn Budget, which imposed a £25 billion tax by increasing Employers’ National Insurance Contributions.
Residents were able to choose their favourite before June 29 with Scott’s Plaice snatching the prize with a total of 305 votes and a share of fifty-one percent. The runners-up were announced as Village Fish Bar, FRYDAYS, Stoke Chippy and Karen’s Plaice in a hotly contested race; which showed that fish and chip shops are one of the most vivid symbols of British culture, and they play a role in supporting local jobs and keeping people fed.
Scott’s Plaice ensure that quality food is their highest of standards by continuing their commitment to the best fresh ingredients and the fine details, Scott’s has already been placed in the UK’s Top 50 Fish & Chip Shops in 2017 and 2020; whilst Ms Dinenage visited the site on Gregson Avenue during Tuesday to present the award for Steve and Scott.
Caroline said: “Our chippies are at the heart of communities up and down the country, Gosport Constituency is no exception. On National Fish and Chip day I wanted to launch a competition for us to celebrate the fish and chip shops we all love in this constituency – while drawing attention to the economic pressures many are facing.”
“It’s no secret that since the pandemic, the hospitality industry has struggled and now I fear that the Chancellor’s economic interventions, like the £25 billion jobs tax, will continue to have negative effects for fish and chip shops, one of the most recognisable British institutions.”
She continued: “It was a pleasure to meet with Scott to hear the story of how they have built their business. Their customers highlight their exceptional quality and service – and that’s reflected in the fact that they received over half the total votes cast.”
Scott responded to his victory: “It’s great to be recognised by Caroline’s competition, a huge thank you to everyone who supported us. In the current climate, with so many pressures on small businesses, it really means a lot to see local independent shops like ours getting the recognition they deserve.”
PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE MP: Gosport MP visits Scott’s Plaice as the chippy won the constituency’s Best Fish & Chip Shop Competition for 2025.
