THE owner of one of Bradford’s most successful fish and chip shops has been honoured for his contribution to the industry at the British Takeaway Awards.

Mark Drummond, who runs Towngate Fisheries in Idle, picked up the award for Contribution to the Takeaway Industry at the awards ceremony held at The Savoy Hotel in London last night.

The awards, run in association with Just Eat, aim to recognise the contribution to the economy and British life by takeaway owners across a range of cuisines. The takeaway industry is estimated to be worth £9 billion to the UK economy.

Mr Drummond, who collected the award from host and comedian John Bishop, said: “I was pleasantly surprised to be nominated by the National Federation of Fish Friers, it meant a lot.

“I have done a lot of voluntary work with them running masterclasses around the country and while you don’t do that for the awards, it is nice to get recognition.

“The event was fantastic and it was great to meet John Bishop and receive my award from him.

“This is the first time the award has been given and it is to recognise someone who rather than just running their own business spends time helping others and sitting on groups for industry regulation, and giving up their own time for the benefit of others.

“The Awards recognise all takeaways, from chip shops to pizza places, curry takeaways even to cake shops, so to win the industry wide award, and the first time it has been awarded, makes it more special.”

Celebrity guests at the glitzy awards night included charismatic chef Ainsley Harriott, Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, and ‘Call the Midwife’ actress Helen George.

On Twitter, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said: “Big congratulations to Towngate Fisheries for winning the Contribution to Industry Award at the British Takeaway Awards.”

This win follows Towngate being named as a finalist in the National Federation of Fish Friers Quality Awards ‘Champion’ Award earlier this month, with the winner being announced in January 2018.

This year has been another stellar year for the chippy, picking up the NFFF’s Quality Award in May, becoming the only shop in West Yorkshire to hold the title continuously for 12 years.

That award came weeks after being named in the best 50 fish and chip takeaways of 2017 by Fry Magazine.

In January, Towngate was also crowned the healthiest chippy in the country at the National Fish and Chip Awards, two years after first winning the award.

Mr Drummond has run Towngate Fisheries for the past 20 years, and has worked in the fish and chip trade since childhood.

He has also volunteered with the NFFF, as head of training from 2009 to 2015 and vice-president from 2011 to 2014.

He has also served as a judge in the Young Fish Frier of the Year competition since 2010.