THEY have a history steeped in deep fat and seaside trips – and fans of Great Britain’s national dish, fish and chips, can now mark Denbighshire on the map as a place to go.

Hand-battered cod, haddock, plaice and even mackerel are among the fishes offered by Simply Fish and Chips in Denbigh which has been named on a leading list of the best chippies in the UK.

The shop on Rhyl Road also offers to cater its fish to orders such as lightly battered, more tender fish or breadcrumbs.

It has expanded to include a pizza house next door which has boosted business but its most recent success has come at the National Fish & Chip Shop Awards after it was shortlisted in the UK Top 60 by Seafood, the leading public body for the seafood industry.

Simply Fish and Chips is one of six shops in Wales and the only one in North Wales to feature on the list, which aims to raise awareness of food quality, innovative menu options and sustainable trade.

Manager Catherine said: “We focus on traditional fish and chips and so we do not have an extremely broad menu which allows us to make better products. We like the outside batter of the fish to be light and golden, and slightly moist on the inside, however customers can request what they want.

“We use vegetable oil which creates a light and natural flavour so that you can really taste the fish, which should be poached inside the batter. If done right, the fish can be slipped out of the batter and eaten by someone on a diet because there is very little cooking oil on it.”

NHS advice on eating takeaways states that frequently high levels of salt and fat can lead to heart disease and diabetes.

Seafood said that a portion of the dish can contribute towards one of the recommended five a day portions of fruit and vegetables – if mushy peas are included.

Among Simply Fish and Chips’ customers are regulars and tourists, as well as schools at the end of term and nearby campsites with orders in excess of 60 fish and chips.

Seafood’s judging stages for the award included a mystery shopping visit, full business performance audit and a presentation to a panel of industry leading judges.

She added: “We take a lot of pleasure and pride in doing our job well and to be awarded for that, by an important body in our industry, is very important to us.”

Marcus Coleman, chief executive officer of Seafish, said: “Every summer we look forward to starting our search for the UK’s best fish and chip shop and this award showcases the best in the business.

“These Top 60 takeaways have demonstrated real commitment to quality in all areas and worked tirelessly to earn their place on this list.”

The top 60 will now go forward to the next round of judging in a bid to make the UK Top 20 shortlist stage, announced at the National Fish & Chip Awards in London in January 2020.