WE'RE highlighting the shortlisted chippies in our competition in the News & Star. Each of the establishments will be featured over the following issues.

Gina's Plaice, located on King Street in Wigton, is a family-run chippy owned by Gina Thomason and Kerry Thomason and boasts over 40 years of frying experience. 

After being informed that Gina's Plaice has been nominated as a finalist in the News & Star's 'Best Chippy 2024' award, Kerry was on hand to express her delight. 

She said: "We are really happy, being nominated is very good.

"There is a lot of work that goes into it but we have got a good team.

"My mam has been frying for over 40 years now and I have been frying for 15 years as well so I think people like that we are a family business like that."

Kerry, Gina Plaice's manager, also discussed what she believes has made the chippy popular in Wigton, with a focus on the shop's quality produce and friendly atmosphere.

She said: "Everything that we make is fresh, we use fresh fish, fresh tatties, it is proper quality.

"People also like the craic in the shop, it is a friendly atmosphere.

"All our staff are Wigton girls and everything we get is local. Our stock is local, we support other local businesses."

For Kerry, community spirit is also an important part of Gina's Plaice and she explained the extensive links that the chippy has to its area, including its links to a number of local care homes. 

She said: "We get a lot of customers that come and have a craic in the shop and help keep us busy and keep us going.

"We engage with a lot of care homes as well, like we have got Inglewood, Fairview and we deliver to learning disability houses in Wigton."