Harlees fish and chips win National Fish and Chip award

Harlees fish and chips took home the Best Multiple Operator award at the National Fish and Chip awards in London on Tuesday, February 28.

Harlees is a family-owned business, run by Lynda and Richard Long and their daughter, Kaylee Herbert. They have takeaway and restaurant sites at Poole Quay, Verwood, Corfe Mullen and two in Swanage, as well as sites in Wiltshire.

Kaylee said to win the award was “fantastic”.

“It’s for my family, Lynda and Richard Long, they started Harlees 25 years ago, and Richard is the third generation in fish and chips, and I’m the fourth,” Kaylee said.

“We’ve managed to get into the top three in the past but never quite made it to the top spot, so to finally get it this year in our 25th year, it’s just fantastic.”

She said the award was for their teams at each of their shops, as they had done the company proud through the pandemic and since.

“I’m just so proud of our extended Harlees family, they’ve really done us proud,” Kaylee said.

“I’m just so proud of them to keep that positive mind and that continued spirit, really.”

She said that they had no idea that they were going to win, but it was “just brilliant” when their name was read out.

“We thought we were in with a good chance but the competition was strong, the other two within the top three are good players” she said.

“We had our fingers crossed but we couldn’t call it at all, it was just fantastic.”

Kaylee praised the rest of the nominees and winners at the awards, and thanked the National Federation of Fish Friers for organising a fantastic awards ceremony.

“It’s such a positive day, it’s a positive day for fish and chips and the industry,” she said.

“A lot of the fish and chip shops and the suppliers are family run businesses. So, it’s just fantastic to be in a room full of these small independent businesses from across the UK that are championing the family business.

“It’s really nice to see.”