IT'S the iconic dish for which the UK is rightly renowned around the world.

The mouth-watering combination of fish and chips is a great British tradition, with more than 320 million portions sold across the country every year.

The finger-licking meal has been part of the nation's diet since the early 1800s.

Today we feature Harefield Fish Bar in Southampton as part of the Love Local Businesses campaign. The Daily Echo, GO!Southampton and the city council have joined forces to salute all those who are working hard to keep the city buzzing.

Open seven days a week, the fish bar was established in 2015 to provide the local community with the finest fish and chips using the best ingredients.

Its vision is to create the best chippy in the south by serving the freshest, tastiest fish.

Owner Claudia De Franca and her staff have also spent the past few months striving to keep everyone safe from Covid-19.

Claudia said: "We have traded in a Covid-secure way throughout the pandemic, with social distancing, a sneeze guard and anti bac available for all customers.

"We expanded to include deliveries and click and collect through Uber eats which has proven very popular in our local community.

"We have very actively been involved in supporting local residents, recently raising £420 in ten days to support a local girl get the medical treatment she needed.

"We have also helped a local family buy flowers for their nan's funeral. They were really struggling at the time."

The shop continues to enforce social distancing of two metres, even through the original restriction has been relaxed by the government.

A statement on its website says: "We feel it's right to protect customers and staff and continue to maintain a social distance of 2m.

"All staff wear face masks at all time, a sneeze guard has been installed on the counter, and hand sanitiser gel is available for staff and customers."

As reported, the Echo and its partners have launched the Love Local Businesses initiative to promote the best businesses here in Southampton.

We want corner shops and all others who are open for business, or offer a "click and collect" service, to get in touch. We will tell the world (well a huge chunk of it in the area) just what you are up to.

All we need is a picture of you or your customers as they receive that latte, pizza, weekly shop or home delivery.

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