Latest news with #HappyHaddock
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
WATCH: We try the menu at the Aberdeenshire chipper that is going viral
The owners of a north-east chipper that has gone viral say they are still trying to get their heads around its success. Happy Haddock in Macduff, which had to close in 2022 due to rising energy bills, reopened two years ago and has become an online sensation. The P&J visited the Duff Street takeaway to speak to co-owners Davie Henderson and Richard Newton about the establishment's fame and their key to success. Davie, who is also a cook at Happy Haddock, believes it has gone viral due to the different flavours of batters they make. Their Irn-Bru variation – which he has been doing for five years – has 'doubled the sales', while they also offer chocolate batter and lemon and lime for fish. 'As far as I'm led to believe, we're the only chippy in Scotland to do it,' Davie said, adding: 'I just stand and fry and something just goes ping in my head and I think, 'I'm going to give this a go'. As well as this, Happy Haddock is also known for its range of desserts. These include battered Oreos, chocolate brownies, Jammie Dodgers and Tunnock's Teacakes, as well as 'Ring Duffnuts' donuts. And all of this has resulted in vloggers travelling from as far as Falkirk and Yorkshire to try the goodies. 'I'm still trying to get my head round it,' Davie told The P&J, adding: 'They're just coming from all directions and it's just blowing my mind.' So far, they have received visits and reviews from various TikTokers, including Trains And Travel, Laura from Things to do in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and Doric Dad, who gave them a 'blinding review'. Does Davie give these special guests any special treatment? Of course not. 'I just treat them as all the same,' he said, adding: 'They're just customers, they come in for a laugh and a joke.' And all customers are treated in the exact same way. 'That's what we try and do, have a laugh and a joke with the customers, because if they have a good time, they'll come back.' The 'celebrity' endorsements have certainly attracted folk to the Macduff takeaway and they were 'absolutely blitzed' as a result at the weekend. People from across the north-east and Moray are also coming to the chippy, including from Elgin, Forres, Fraserburgh and Peterhead. Despite the viral fame, Happy Haddock has Macduff running through its veins and classes itself as a 'community chippy'. 'At the end of day, if it wasn't for the local supporters, we wouldn't be in business,' he continued. And Richard thinks they have a loyal customer base because they 'listen a lot' to what they say and do not change things with checking how the customers feel about it. At the end of the day, David and Richard are the owners, but this is in name only. 'We're just running the place, but we're not the chipper, the community is the Happy Haddock,' Richard declared. A 4.8 rating on Google Reviews just shows how successful it has become. And David – nicknamed the 'mad professor' for his creations – has a message for all those that has helped take Happy Haddock where it is today. 'I just want to thank all the supporters, all the guys on TikTok, just everybody for helping us out.' And what about winning awards? 'We're much happier with people on Facebook raving about our food, people on Google raving about our food, because they're the people who we want to impress,' Richard defiantly said.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2025 revealed - Did your favourite win?
The winner of the Isle of Wight County Press Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2025 competition can now be revealed. The votes are in, and we are delighted to announce that The Happy Haddock on the High Street in Old Shanklin Village has been officially named the winner! The Happy Haddock battered the competition and emerged as the clear favourite among County Press readers, thanks to its crisp, golden chips and perfectly cooked fish that have made it a beloved local favourite. The Happy Haddock (Image: Happy Haddock) The Happy Haddock on the High Street in Old Shanklin Village (Image: Google Maps) Recommended reading: Nominate your local heroes to attend special event Isle of Wight County Press Camera Club — ten AMAZING pictures The competition kicked off with a call for nominations, with readers invited to name their go-to chip shop. The ten establishments with the most nominations made it through to the final shortlist. Read more: From there, it was down to you, once again, to cast your votes via the County Press newspaper to decide which shop would take home the top title. Although The Happy Haddock took the crown, the competition was fierce. The following chip shops were recognised as runners-up (in no particular order): Brothers of Brading Blue Crab in Yarmouth Carisbrooke Fish Bar Chipmunks Fish and Chips of Ryde Hayden's Chip Shop in Oakfield Ozze's Plaice in Pan Stotesbury's Fish and Chips in Newport Tony's Fish and Chip Shop in Ryde Wights Fish and Chips in Ryde Each of these chippies has earned the admiration of their customers and a spot among the Island's finest. Congratulations to The Happy Haddock and all the finalists for keeping the tradition of great fish and chips alive and well on the Island!
