A Tayside take-away which was put out-of-action by one of Scotland’s worst floods in a generation has battled back from misfortune to claim one of the country’s most coveted honours.
The Traditional Fish Bar in Alyth has netted the Best Fish and Chips in Scotland title at a national awards ceremony, beating strong competition from across the country.
Bosses at the Airlie Street establishment picked up the accolade at Scotland’s Business Awards in Edinburgh.
Owner Marcello Franceschi said he was thrilled and surprised to win. “I still can’t quite believe it,” he said. “We were up against some strong contenders from the central belt and we were sure they had a better chance.
“So when they read out our name it was a great surprise.”
The fish bar was one of 180 Perth and Kinross businesses which were nominated for the awards back in August 2015. It was added by the public during the voting stage of the contest.
Judges created a short list of 150 and Marcello’s best was named top in Perthshire, securing a place in the national heat.
Judges selected a winner based on a public vote and the results of a mystery shopper taste test.
Marcello took the reins at the takeaway in 2008, a year after his father bought the business.
“Our shop is called the Traditional Fish Bar and the key word of that is ‘traditional'” he said.
“We don’t want to mess around with our food. We just serve good old fashioned fish and chips and over the years we have built up a great relationship with our customers.”
Just over a year ago, Marcello was left picking up the pieces after Alyth’s great flood of 2015.
The premises, close to the town centre, were left swamped with mud and water, after the town was battered by a one-in-200 year rain storm.”We weren’t as badly hit as others in the town,” said Marcello. “But we did suffer quite a bit of damage. We had to have a complete refurbishment which meant we were closed for three weeks.”
He said: “Its been quite a year for us. What is great about this is that this was an award which was voted by the public and we are so grateful to everyone who showed their support.”
Marcello praised his chip shop team, including employees Rachel Glen, Beth Christie, Kelly Donald, Morgan Taylor and Kelly Low.
60mm of rain in six hours caused devastation
The Traditional Fish Bar was one of several Alyth businesses devastated when water cascaded through the centre of the Perthshire town on July 17 last year.
People were forced from their properties by the sudden deluge, caused by an explosion of rainwater and the swollen Alyth Burn.
The floods caused millions of pounds worth of damage as 60mm of rain fell in just six hours.
Trees were uprooted, telegraph poles toppled and cars washed away.
Footbridges across the burn collapsed and people were forced to huddle in shelters after losing all their possessions.
Emergency services said it was remarkable no one was badly hurt as they battled the rising water.
A massive community effort in the immediate aftermath saw many people return to their pre-flood lives but signs of the devastation still remain throughout the town.
