Bennetts Lane Chippy shortlisted for Best Chippy Award

The Halliwell chippy, which is approaching its 100th year in business, reopened in April following the death of long-serving owner David Sumner and quickly attracted huge crowds of customers eager to see the beloved shop return.

Now the new owners say winning the award would be a fitting tribute to the man many knew as Bolton’s “Master of Fish and Chips”.

Best chippy

David Sumner, who died in June 2025 aged 76, ran the chippy for decades and helped establish it as one of Bolton’s best-known fish and chip shops.

Alongside his wife Linda, he built a loyal customer base spanning generations.

(Image: Martini Archive)

When the business reopened under Andrew Crawford, Ebony Day and Minesh Patel on April 20, hundreds of people queued down the street after two days of free food were announced to mark the occasion.

At peak times, customers reported waiting more than two hours as word spread across Halliwell and on social media that the popular chippy was back.

(Image: NQ)

Co-owner Minesh Patel said the Best Chippy Award nomination was recognition of both the team’s hard work and the legacy left behind by David and Linda.

He said: “The chip shop is running well.

“This award for Best Chippy would give our team such appreciation for the hard work and all the innovative techniques used to create amazing food.

“If we won, it would give us a token of appreciation from the customers as feedback for the amazing food which has been subsidised for children and the elderly who have come back repeatedly giving us praise for the high-quality fresh ingredients used daily, the amazing gravy, price and portion sizes.

“Most of all, it would honour the Master of Fish n Chips in Bolton, the late Mr Dave Sumner and his wife Linda who provided us with all the ingredients and the innovative techniques to produce magical food for a huge customer base.

“Hopefully we as a community can win this award for the world-renowned Bennetts Lane Chippy.”

The new owners have worked to preserve the character of the business, choosing not to replace the original signage and retaining the shop’s traditional appearance.

Fresh fish is delivered daily, while the team says maintaining quality and affordability remains a key priority.

Fresh fish and chips (Image: NQ)

Fish and chips with a side are available all day for £7, while a pensioners’ deal offering fish, chips and a side costs £5.50.

A family deal feeding three people is priced at £17.50, and award-winning Yorkshire pies are set to be added to the menu in the near future.

As Bennetts Lane Chippy closes in on a century of serving the community, the owners hope local residents will help write the next chapter in its history by backing the shop in this year’s Best Chippy Award.

Readers can cast their vote by picking up a copy of today’s Bolton News.