Sixty two years of hard work, spanning three generations of the Oxenham family, has seen Clems Fish Restaurants (Clems) reach the final three in the Best Multiple Fish and Chip Operator category in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2017.
There have definitely not been any fish slipping through the net when it comes to the best being selected as a finalist for this national award. To secure a place in the final three, Clems has been appraised across a wide range of judging criteria, including menu development, fish sourcing policies and supplier relationships.
Still not off the hook, industry experts will be carrying out mystery visits and assessments in the upcoming weeks and the restaurant chain will find out its fate at the award ceremony in London on 26th January.
The first Clems restaurant which was very much a family business, was opened in 1954 by Jane and Clem Oxenham, in Spennymoor. The company now employs over 80 staff and with three generations of the family currently involved in the business, Clems has expanded to four more outlets in Chester le Street, Shildon, Bishop Auckland and Sunderland, as well as a pop-up fish and chip restaurant, which is a familiar sign at many of the regions corporate and outdoor events.
Jane and Clem’s son, Andrew said,
“We are beyond thrilled to be in with a chance of winning the award. It would be great to receive recognition for the hard work our family has put in, and continue to do so daily. We take pride in what we do and strive to give our customers the best quality and service so we hope the judges can see this,
“As a child, with both parents taking it in turns to serve customers, we didn’t see much of them, but we are really proud of what they have achieved and fortunate to be able to build on the fantastic business they have handed over to us. We have watched the business go from strength to strength over the years and being nominated for this award is a sure sign that we are doing something right”.