Two Rugby chip shops say a big thank-you to the town after catching Good Food Awards for second year in a row

Two Rugby chip shops are thanking customers for their support after catching a Good Food Award for the second year in a row.

Bilton Road's Fish Plus and Hollowell Way's Brownsover Fish Bar reeled in the awards thanks to their customers voting en masse.

The competition encourages people across the country to vote for their favourite restaurants and takeaways, recognising delicious food and great customer service.

Andreas Kattou of Fish Plus said he wished to thank all of his customers for their loyalty and his staff for working exceptionally hard.

"Without our customers we wouldn't be here - I want to say a massive thank-you to them all. They are amazing."

What makes an award-winning chip shop?

Andreas said it's a mix of serving up good quality food and making sure customers enjoy a smile and a chat when they come in.

"Like everyone, we've got things happening in our lives," Andreas said.

"But when we're here we all make sure we wear a smile and have a laugh with all of our customers.

"We probably know 80 per cent of our customers by name, and they know they will always have a bit of banter when they come in here."

Andreas said he also wished to thank his mum and dad, for teaching him everything he knows about running a good chip shop.

Fish Plus has become even more well known in the town in recent weeks when Andreas and his team stepped up to offer free food to struggling families.

In the half term week where families were left without free school meals Fish Plus managed to give free meals to 1,500 children.

500 of those meals were given out as part of special Halloween event on the Sunday, which also saw the team head to St Cross to give scores of free food to staff.

The impact of his actions struck Andreas when a young Rugbeian drew a picture for him as a thank-you.

"That was quite emotional," he said.

"I had to go out the back and I bawled my eyes out to be honest."

Andreas said he is continuing to help vulnerable Rugbeians in partnership with the From Meal To You group.

He said: "Covid has ruined so many lives. It's the economic and the mental health side of things too.

"I see the reality of it every day. We have customers who had the same job for decades coming in and telling me they're now unemployed.

"The community has only got stronger, though. People have really come together to help each other.

"It's sad that it took something as bad as this, but it's amazing to see so many people doing what they can to help."

Fish Plus remains open through the second lockdown - and the normal opening hours still apply.

Husband and wife team Vas and Dula Alexandrou of Brownsover Fish Bar are also celebrating their second Good Food Award in as many years.

Vas said: "We're an established shop - including the previous owners, the shop has been here for 35 years. That definitely helps.

"We try to get the best quality food we can. It's not just about how to fry things - it's getting the best possible ingredients to make sure the food is the best it can be.

Vas and Dula, who took over the shop just over three years ago, also offered free meals to children over the half term.

"I want to say a big thank-you to our customers for all their support - we're going to do as much as we can to make sure the quality is kept really high," Vas added.

Brownsover Fish Bar also remains open through lockdown.