The Blue Submarine in Middlepark Way completed a hat-trick after it claimed the top prize in the Express & Star’s Chip Shop of the Year for Dudley.

 

Chippies were rated by the number of tokens handed in by readers, while there was also a mystery shopper element which saw the takeaway taste tested.

 

Owner Antonio Andreas, said it had been in the family for 37 years. He said: “My parents owned the shop for 12 years and I’ve owned it for 25 years.

 

“Although I’ve done other things in-between owning the shop, I’ve always kept it and loved the shop because it saved the family when we moved there in 1982. They initially rented the shop and later bought the freehold. 

 

“It was like a saviour of the family and 37 years later I’m still there.

The owner, who lived in Birmingham before moving to Dudley, said: “I love the fact I know people’s children and their children – some of them have got grandchildren and it’s a lovely thing to be part of the community.

 

“We’ve won it the last two years and I thought someone else would win it this year because there’s some really good shops out there. When I received the call I was quite pleased. It’s quite rare for any shop to win it three years in a row.” 

 

The 51-year-old, who now lives in Stourbridge, said staff “try really hard” to provide a good experience to customers. He added: “I think we try really hard to get it right and I always believed I would never serve something I would never eat myself.”

 

Nicki’s Fish Bar, in Woodbury Road, Halesowen, finished runner-up – but the owners say they are determined to claim the title next year. 

 

Owners Nicki Andreou, who runs the shop with husband Pani Andreou, said: “It was down to the staff and the loyal customers.

 

“Hard work pays off and hopefully next year we’ll come first. If it wasn’t for the customers and staff we would not be here where we are now.

 

“Plus selling fresh fish pays off. Not many fish shops sell fresh anymore because of the cost and I would much rather keep the customer happy than my own pocket.”

 

The 44-year-old has a total of 30 years in the industry – following in her parents’ footsteps, who used to own a chip shop in the area.

Pensnett Fish Bar, in High Street, Pensnett, finished third in the annual competition.