The owner of a fish and chip shop in Petts Wood which has been named in the Fry Awards top 50 for Britain’s best fish and chip shops has expressed immense pride – especially after a shocking break-in last year.

The Village Fish and Chip shop is a 15-year-old family-run business owned by Serena Pybus and husband Andy Pybus.

It was the only chippy in south London named in the Fry Awards list, with Stones Fish and Chips in Acton being the only other London-wide winner.

Serena has said that winning the award has given the business that “much needed lift” after it was broken into on December 11, 2022.

Serena previously told News Shopper how they found the shop with a smashed front door and the contents of their tips jar for their small team of four staff members.

Moved by the break-in the neighbouring community of shops in Petts Wood village worked to raise a collection of £250 for the staff who Serena said, “had children and grandchildren to think about.”

The 37-year-old said: “It’s a real sense of pride for us, we were told that around 100 fish and chip shops in south east London entered to win.

“So to be the only one to win was an amazing feeling, it’s a real boost for us and our staff as well.

“Every now and then, when you're doing your job, or you have a business and you're serving the community, you do sometimes doubt yourself, thinking ‘are we okay?’ or ‘is everyone liking our food?’

“So honestly we’re so happy to have won after years of applying.”

Serena said she feels “amazed” that the business had won after discovering that one of the mystery diners had visited the shop around the time of the burglary when the front door was boarded up following the break in.

Serena said: “One of the dates that we were mystery dined was in December was when the shop was actually all boarded up.

“We were quite shocked that we made it on the list.

“But it's mainly food and service that they score you on.”

But, it wasn’t just Serena who was happy to win such a coveted award, her team of staff were also equally thrilled to discover the business was named as one Britain’s top 50 fish and chip shops.

Serena said: “The chefs were really shocked and happy.

“They take pride in every single piece of fish that they cook we scored 100% on both visits for the food.

“For batter, fish and for the chips they just scored us 100% across the board.

“For complete strangers to try the food and say that it's amazing.

“It shows us as the owners that they're all doing an amazing job.

“I think it gives them a little pat on the back for their hard work.”

Serena told the News Shopper that winning an award has given the Petts Wood community “a sense of pride” with hopes that the prestige of their award will bring in further trade to the area.

Serena said: “Hopefully people will come to Petts Wood and think ‘that's that little shop that won the award.’ “Even yesterday someone travelled in from Brockley to try our fish and chips after they found out we won an award.

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“So, I'm hoping this year in the Easter holidays, with Good Friday coming up, it might get busy with some new customers.”

The business is currently awaiting of the delivery of a commissioned plaque that each business who made to list are due to get in the next few weeks.

Serena said: “When the plaque that arrives, we were going to take a picture and put it on social media.

“I think one of the chefs wanted to take a photo of the little plaque when it comes to show his kids at home.

‘It’s just such a great way to start the year and we’re all so proud of the achievement.”