Bewdley fish bar staff hoping to net top accolade (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Bewdley fish bar staff hoping to net top accolade

7:30am Monday 7th January 2013 in News By William Tomaney

A BEWDLEY fish bar will hope its 2012 fund-raising efforts have been good enough to batter the competition at a national award ceremony.

Merchant Fish Bar, Load Street, has been shortlisted for the “top fundraising shop of the year award” as part of the National Fish and Chip Awards 2013.

Staff will attend a prestigious ceremony in London on Thursday, January 24, along with the other finalists from Lincoln and Whitby, to discover who will be crowned the winner.

The award recognises shops that raised significant funds for fishermen in need as part of the Seafarers UK fish and chip feast event in October, 2012.

The week-long collection saw the Bewdley restaurant raise money for the welfare of fishermen and other seaferers in need and their families.

Antony Akathiotis, of Merchant Fish Bar, said: “The work done by Seafarers UK is extremely important so we were more than happy to take part in the event this year.

“Fishermen help to keep us in business so we’re happy to help them out where we can.

“It is nice to be shortlisted for the award too of course. It shows our efforts are making a difference and that’s the whole point at the end of the day.”

Paul Williams, chief executive of competition organisers Seafish, added: “It is great to see shops taking the time to support initiatives such as the fish and chip feast as they are so important to the fishing industry.

“It’s comforting for those involved in the fishing industry to know that there is support available to them should they encounter any financial difficulties so the work done by Seafarers really is crucial.”