Ballymena takeaway shortlisted in UK’s top 40 for National Fish & Chip Awards 2026

The popular Fish Supper from The Merchant, Ballymena

One of Ballymena’s most popular takeaways has been named among the UK’s best after securing a place on the shortlist for the National Fish & Chip Awards 2026.

The Merchant, which operates from Linenhall Street in Ballymena and Main Street in Broughshane, has been recognised in the Takeaway of the Year category, competing against 39 other chippies across the UK.

The awards, regarded as the most prestigious competition in the fish and chip industry, celebrate excellence across 14 categories, with Seafood from Norway as principal sponsor.

The Takeaway of the Year category, sponsored by Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinney’s Sausages, Seafood from Iceland, Smales and V.A. Whitley, has drawn entries from coastal hotspots, rural villages, and major cities, all vying to take the crown from current holders Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington, County Durham.

Sector specialists have carefully selected 40 businesses to progress to the next stage of judging, which will cover product quality, hygiene, sustainability, customer service, and industry knowledge.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), said:

“We’ve received a wonderful collection of entries for Takeaway of the Year – it is the badge of honour that many in the industry strive for, and we are very excited to see new names on the list.

“This year we invited the public to encourage their favourite chippies to enter, and the campaign has proved successful as the judging panel can see hidden gems emerging at this early stage.

“We’re also delighted to see others giving it another go which shows a commitment to excellence by taking on board previous feedback and coming back in a stronger position. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience for the new top 40 takeaways, and we wish them all every success for what we believe is going to be an amazing display of skill, tradition and innovation.”

The Merchant, Ballymena

The Merchant is the only Northern Ireland takeaway to make the shortlist, a recognition that reflects its growing reputation for “fantastic fish” that draws customers from across the region.

Previous winners have seen business transformed overnight. Will Burrell, co-owner of Yarm Road Fish & Chips, reflected on their 2025 victory:

“Winning takeaway of the year 2025 has been the proudest moment of our business life! We went from a busy shop to a crazy-busy one overnight - and it’s showing no signs of slowing down! After eight years of trying to perfect our team and our shop, to hear our name read out down in London was extremely overwhelming!

“The awards process gives you a chance to invigorate yourself, your team and your business. We’ll be sad to hand over the trophy but can’t wait to see amazing fish and chip shops showcase our wonderful industry and keep pushing it forward!”

The top 40 will soon be halved to 20 semi-finalists, before the final 10 are revealed later this year. The overall winners will be crowned at the awards ceremony in London, February 2026.

For the full shortlist and more information, visit www.thefishandchipawards.com.