A BLANDFORD fish and chip shop is celebrating after being awarded a prestigious quality mark.

The Forum Frier has gained a place among the UK’s top chippies after achieving the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) Quality Accreditation, sponsored by Sarsons Vinegar.

The NFFF, the trade body that represents the nation’s fish and chip shops, runs the scheme as a way of raising standards within and enhancing the profile of the fish and chip industry.

The scheme is a way of rewarding and promoting shops that provide good quality products and high standards of hygiene, as well as friers who show a high level of competence, the organisation says.

To qualify, each shop must go through a virtual inspection by an NFFF Approved Assessor who assesses the shop’s presentation, hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and most importantly the quality of the cooked product.

A Forum Frier spokesperson said: “We are delighted to gain our place in the scheme. To be recognized as one of the top fish and chip shops by the NFFF is indeed an honour and a credit to Cookie and all our hardworking staff, who I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the continued hard work and efforts to maintain our excellent reputation.

“The accreditation process is very rigorous with every aspect of the business inspected from top to bottom with no room for error or a drop in quality throughout.

“I would personally like to thank all our customers, new and old. The support and encouragement they have offered has been great. It has motivated us to maintain our high standards which have been recognised with this accreditation.”

NFFF president, Andrew Crook, said the award signals to consumers they can buy with confidence.

“The NFFF Quality Accreditation scheme is extremely comprehensive,” he said.

“Food safety is a key area that we examine together with other key aspects of the business including the preparation and cooking equipment, to the management of paperwork and the traceability of fish.

“The Forum Frier clearly takes pride in where it sources its fish and potatoes from,” Andrew added.

“Achieving the NFFF Quality Accreditation provides reassurance to customers that they are being served cooked food using high-quality ingredients.”

Bryan Carroll, Sarson’s sales and marketing director, said: “Obtaining the Quality Accreditation award is a coveted achievement.

“Congratulations to The Forum Frier for joining an elite selection of fish and chip shops who have proven their commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality.”

Each Fish and Chip Quality Accreditation is valid for a year and retention is dependent on standards being maintained as validated by NFFF officials and appointed assessors.