Barrow chippy competes against Furness businesses for award

Last month The Mail launched the 'Best Chippy 2024' award with readers subsequently nominating their favourites.

From this, the ten finalists have now been revealed with readers able to vote for their favourite by picking up copies of the newspaper until Saturday, June 15.

Each of the ten establishments will feature in their own article with a different one being highlighted each day as they vie to earn your support in the campaign.

The 'Best Chippy 2024' awards so far:

• Ten finalists revealed for The Mail Best Chippy Award 2024 | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Ulverston chippy hopes to be named as best in south Cumbria | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow chippy competes to be named as best in south Cumbria | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow takeaway aims to be named as best chippy in Furness | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Ulverston chippy has targets set on Furness award victory | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow town centre fish and chip shop competes for prize | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
• Barrow family run chippy looks to cook up award success | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

In this edition, we bring you along to the Old Smithy, which has been serving a loyal batch of local customers since its doors opened back in 1983.

Whilst originally owned by Ellen and Alan Queen for more than three decades, Calvin and Sarah Addenbrook took over the business back in 2019.

The Smithy owners have done plenty of work in the community - such as helping to feed care home residents (Image: Submitted)

On being named as a finalist, they said: "Thank you so much guys - we appreciate all our lovely customers new and old."

Since then, the business has entered new territory thanks to the conversion of a Citroen HY 1955 van in October 2021, creating the 'hugely popular' Smithy Van in the process.

The vehicle was converted to serve up fish and chip shop favourites like sausages, scampi and fish cakes whilst on wheels, bringing the Old Smithy to places across Cumbria.

The Old Smithy's base on Leece Lane (Image: Google Maps)

The van has helped the chippy battle through various ordeals in recent times, most notably when a fire struck the premises in January last year.

Calvin and Sarah were still able to serve the community, as well as supporting their team of employees, by putting the van on the road.

It is that level of perseverance and dedication that has made the Old Smithy a huge hit with people far and wide - but will it be enough to see them crowned as victors?

The winner of the 'Best Chippy 2024' award will be announced in the week commencing June 24.