The small town Essex fish and chip shop that keeps winning awards
Tucked away in a town housing estate, this fish and chip shop may seem like a rather unassuming chippy. However, the well-loved local fish and chip shop has gained national acclaim for its high quality service and mouth-watering take-aways.
This year Henley’s of Wivenhoe made it to the top three of the National Fish and Chip Awards Quality Accreditation category. The shop was also recognised at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2023 where it was named one of the UK’s top 20 fish and chip shops.
Most surprisingly, Henley’s also broke the record for making the world’s fastest portion of chips back in 2007 during National Chip Week, transforming it from spud to greasy goodness in a mere matter of 3 minutes and 40 seconds.
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Henley’s and their team have also featured in multiple TV shows over the years. Owner David Henley starred in an episode of UK Food’s ‘Market Kitchen’ where he shared his top fish frying tips with viewers. David and the Henley’s team also competed against Italian TV chef Gino D’acampo on BBC’s ‘Take on the Takeaway’.
Henley’s say they “are committed to offering our customers the very best fish and chips possible in a clean and friendly environment.” One TripAdvisor reviewer commented, “excellent classic fish & chips, highly recommended. Fish batter was light and not greasy. Fish fresh. Chips lovely. Cooked to order and worth the wait.” She added that the staff were “polite and helpful in a busy very hot shop.”
Their “unique wet fish display” where fresh fish is cooked right before the customer’s eyes is what helps to make their store a real stand-out. All of their chips are peeled and chipped fresh each morning, and they promise that all of their fish has been carefully trimmed and de-boned.
Their well-trained staff are on-hand to help their customers “buy with confidence” so prospective orderers know just how sustainable their chippy tea is. Explaining that they are “very conscious of our impact on the environment”, the company ensures that all of their ingredients and materials are sourced locally and sustainably.
Henley’s is also careful to include a large range of varieties like Hake, Pollock, and Coley to help reduce the over-consumption of more popular fish like Cod. The company has also been praised for the inclusion of gluten-free options on their menu which customers with intolerances can order ahead to ensure they aren’t left out of the fun.
Henley’s is also particularly passionate about supporting the local community and raising money for important charities. They are proud to support causes such as Help for Heroes, Essex Air Ambulance, Marie Curie Cancer and more. They also sponsor local community groups such as Wivenhoe Football Team and a dance group from Colne Community School, which brought the Henley’s name as far afield as Broadway. Their sponsorship of a local university student even got their logo as far as Antarctica.
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