‘We tried the chippy that’s in the UK’s top five but there was one problem’

Manchester Evening News reporter Emma Gill travelled to Lytham St Annes, just one hour from Manchester, to pay a visit to The Haven, a small backstreet chippy that’s been declared one of the best in the UK.

The small chip shop, that’s so hidden many people don’t even realise it’s there, was ranked number five in The Times’ best fish and chip shops in the UK.

The Times describe this hidden gem chippy as a “charming backstreet chippy” that has “perfectly battered fish” and “the best chips” that the writer tasted during their “circumnavigation of the coast.

Alongside the delicious food, The Haven also has a rather unique interior, with The Times reporting that the walls are “covered in framed prints of whimsical art.”

Continuing with its unique decor, the chip shop’s furniture includes “a dresser presenting interesting specimens from the Franklin Mint commemorative plate collections, and a cuckoo clock.”

Recalling her own visit to this award-winning chip shop, Emma wrote: “The restaurant is certainly unique, if you like the homely granny’s living room vibe, but we were there for takeaway, so didn’t hang around.

“It wasn’t particularly busy for a Saturday evening, so fish was being cooked to order, which made it even fresher.”

She continued: “A regular fish and chips was £9, which I thought was quite reasonable, given the seaside location and all. It was quite a large portion too, and perfectly cooked, with crispy batter and soft, flaky cod.”

Emma’s eldest daughter opted for a sausage, chips and gravy, which cost just £5, with Emma writing that this was “reasonable for a decent size” and that her daughter was full of compliments, particularly over the “tasty gravy.”

Meanwhile, her youngest child went for a meat and potato pie on a barmcake. 

Following her delicious meal, Emma concluded: “I’m sure the fact it’s all cooked in beef dripping explains why the food here tastes so good. If they hadn’t forgotten the all-important addition for our fish and chips, it would have been perfect, but I’m not going to hold a grudge over a pot of curry sauce. Maybe we should have sampled that restaurant after all.”