Sales soar for best fish and chip shop in Britain

Feb 8 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A COUNTY Durham fish and chip shop has recruited another member of staff to cope with demand after it was named the best in Britain.

Redz in Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, won a competition in The Journal’s sister paper the Daily Mirror after being nominated by its customers and judged in a secret taste test.

On the back of its success, shop owners George and Wendy Redford from Washington, decided to take on another member of staff as they were at full stretch.

The couple remortgaged their home so they could buy the chippy three and a half years ago and have run the business between them since then.

Mr Redwood said: “We have had a very exciting couple of weeks, first to be named best chip shop in Britain and secondly for business to go through the roof.

“It took us a few years to crack it but now we get people calling us saying that we have the best fish and chips they’ve ever tasted.”

The Redwoods received help from SASDA, which creates employment opportunities and supports businesses in the Sedgefield area.

They were able to take on Kayleigh Lawton as their first member of staff via the SASDA’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund and are now looking to recruit another person.

Mr Redford said: “We were a little nervous to recruit but SASDA made the decision easier due to the funding that is available.”

Ann Boyd, SASDA sales specialist, said: “Due to Redz’s success people are now travelling from near and far to sample the chips and their creditability is overwhelming.

“We are delighted we have been able to support them at this exciting time to help them cope with the sudden growth and will continue to support them to ensure it is long-lived.”

Redz is now aiming to secure a second title for Britain’s best portion of chips in a competition being run by Love Chips during National Chip Week from February 15 to 21.