A SANDWICH bar in Oxford has proved it is the best thing since sliced bread after taking home a prestigious award.

Morton’s, of New Inn Hall Street, has been named Independent Sandwich Bar of the Year after entering the British Sandwich Industry Awards, known as the Sammies.

It was one of seven businesses shortlisted in its category.

Partner Craig Muir said: “It is a huge honour and it’s very flattering.

“We were shocked and stunned to win the award, but in their eyes clearly we were worthy.”

Once all the entries were submitted, mystery shoppers visited all the nominated sandwich bars and sampled the menu.

Each was ranked on presentation, atmosphere, facilities, cleanliness, product range, innovation and customer service, with Morton’s coming out on top.

They shared the stage at an awards ceremony in London with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Marks & Spencer, which was named Sandwich Multiple Retailer of the Year.

Mr Muir said: “We see the same faces and get lots of repeat customers, and that’s how we have built up our reputation.”

Mr Muir and partner Jim Kinniburgh have been making sandwiches together since 1986, and, despite employing 26 members of staff, still chip in in the kitchen, preparing business lunch orders.

As well as sandwiches, Morton’s serves salads, paninis, home-made soups and hot drinks, with about 30 different sandwiches or hot dishes on offer.

Every day sees two specials, which on Monday was multi-cereal baguette with hot smoked salmon and cream cheese, or falafel with houmous, jalapenos and salad.

Mr Muir said: “My favourite is one of our oldest sandwiches, chicken, bacon and dijonnaise on a multi-cereal baguette.

“We are probably the most prolific sandwich makers Oxford has seen because we have been doing it for such a long time.”

He said the shop attracted a mix of students, Oxford residents and tourists and saw a lot of the same clientele each day.

He added: “I don’t know people’s names, I just know what they eat or what they drink. My wife used to be large black coffee and carrot cake, now I call her darling.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk