Winsford fish and chips shop batters competition to win top prize

The build up to National Chip Week, which ran from February 22 to February 16, saw chip shops around the country battle it out to see who boasts the best chips.

Winsford fish and chips shop, FoodCraft, which are celebrating their 55th birthday this year, were named best chips shop in Cheshire, much to the delight of current owner, John Finney Jr.

“We are very, very chuffed,” John Jr said. “We didn’t get placed last year and low and behold we’ve won it this year. We’re absolutely delighted. We couldn’t be happier.

“It’s even better the fact that it was voted by the customers.

“We were in two minds whether to even enter this year but my wife said that while it’s our 55th anniversary this year we should enter, and hopefully get people talking about chips.”

The family-owned chippy originally traded as a general store in the early 1900s.

Between 1940 and 1942, Kennerley’s General Store was transformed as Winsford’s first known fish and chips shop.

In 1960, the fish and chips shop became what it is today, FoodCraft, before being taken over by John D Finney seven years later in 1967.

The business was eventually passed on to John Finney Jr and his brother Christopher Finney.

John Jr said: “My dad is quite pleased with the business is going strong. For a business to be around that long, it must be doing something right. It’s stood the test of time.

“It’s been a chip shop for the best part of 75 years, and that’s amazing.”

While FoodCraft is still going strong, the traditional fish and chip shop has seen something of design in recent years, as the nation has begun to be more health conscious.

“It’s taken a pounding over the last few years,” John Jr said. “I think it’s been unfairly demonised in a way for being unhealthy.

“Unfortunately it’s been labelled as being unhealthy, but it is not unhealthy in any way, shape or form.

“But while attitudes have changed, I think there’s still a demand for good old fashioned fish and chips.”