Robert (left) and Alison Smith of The Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife
© AFP Shaun Curry

LONDON (AFP) - The Anstruther Fish Bar in the small Scottish seaside town of Anstruther, northeast of Edinburgh, scooped the title of Fish and Chip Shop of the Year at an industry awards bash in London.

William used to pop into the "chippy" during his university days at nearby St Andrews, the home of golf, while the business claims Oscar-winning US actors De Niro, Hanks and Robert Duvall have all tasted their fare.

Owner Alison Smith said: "Claiming the national title has always been our ambition, it's the ultimate goal in our industry.

"The title is just reward for our hard-working staff and a great way of reminding our customers, and fans throughout the UK, where to buy the best fish and chips."

Organisers Seafish, the national authority on seafood, said that fish and chip shops were bucking the economic downturn.

According to figures from Seafish and market researchers NPD's Consumer Reports on Eating Share Trends, in the eight months to November 2008, there were more than 548 million visits to Britain's 9,500 fish and chip shops -- up three percent on the same period in 2007.

Fish and chip shops recorded sales of 717 million pounds (761 million euros, 984 million dollars) from March to October 2008 -- an increase of more than three percent on the same period the year before.

Competition judge Andy Gray said: "Fish and chip shops are well-placed to prosper in the current economic climate as they offer value for money and a quality product with a feel good factor.

"Despite the credit crunch, people still want to enjoy small luxuries. Fish and chips are a national institution which have survived the test of time and will be around for many more years to come."

©AFP