The St Helens fish and chip shop that's battering the competition

Rohin is the proud owner of Paul's Fishbar in St Helens, which has been crowned Best for Fish and Chips 2023 after the venue battered the competition from nine other fish and chip plaices.

Each week, we will be searching for the best St Helens has to offer in different categories.

Hair by Alice Michelle took the first Best of 2023 title – Best for Hair in St Helens – and Blackburn’s is officially Best for Pies with Kreative Kirsty being crowned Best for Nails.

The Brown Edge Pub is Best for Roast Dinner, The Townhouse was announced as Best for Cocktails, Shakey J’s is Best for Breakfast and Ashley-James Ward at Award Health and Fitness took Best for Fitness.

Voting for St Helens’ Best for Tattoos is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Pizza.

Next on the menu was fish and chips and Paul’s Fishbar on Bowness Avenue served up a winning portion of the English favourite, taking our latest Best of 2023 title.

The hardworking team at the popular fish and chip shop, which is on Bowness Avenue in St Helens (Image: Paul's Fishbar)

Rohin, who is 30, said: “We are a relatively new fish and chip shop, approaching our fourth year in business.

“Our family is very business oriented and having helped with our other businesses for most of my life I decided to go for it and open my own.

“When I was temporarily working as a letting agent and looking for a change, my cousin who lives down south and owns his own fish and chip shop, told me how fun and rewarding it is.

“A couple of weeks later he was showing me the ropes in his shop and now we’re here!”

Rohin opened the business in November 2019 just a few months before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the country was plunged into local and national lockdowns.

His hardworking team is Kate Meadows, Emma Fairclough, Teila Yates, Stephen Collum-Marsh and Katie Cunliffe. 

Rohin said: “We serve traditional fish and chips as well as some of the best burgers and kebabs and we also have some specials on the menu.

“Apart from the freshness and our ability to maintain crispy batter on our deliveries, we will win you over with our friendly service and helpful attitude.”

He added: “A good fish frier never reveals his secrets but our fish, chips and homemade peas is a top seller.

“Our sausage dinners go down well and people always compliment the gravy.

“Our kebabs are always a hit with hungry customers!”

Kebabs are a real hit with customers

Rohin was surprised to learn Paul’s Fishbar had been shortlisted for Best for Fish and Chips as “there are some brilliant chippies in the area” but he’s immensely proud of everything he and his staff have achieved.

He added: “It’s such a competitive place as people in St Helens know their chippies really well, so this award means even more.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without our customers and we’d like to thank every single person who voted for us.

“All our hard work has been worth it and we’re very grateful.”

For more details go to facebook.com/paulsfishbarcarrmill