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Wetherby Whaler steps in to save Harry Ramsden’s Leeds restaurant
A fish and chip chain said today it would save the original Harry Ramsden’s restaurant in Leeds with a £500,000 investment.
Harry Ramsden’s announced last year that it was to close its original Guiseley branch - the first restaurant it opened in the UK - after 83 years in business.
Today, the Wetherby Whaler fish and chip group revealed it would take over the premises and return the restaurant to its “glory days”.
In November, Harry Ramsden’s said its flagship restaurant, which opened in Guiseley, Leeds, in 1928, was losing money and needed a considerable investment before it could become profitable again.
The branch, which led to the chain of 35 restaurants across the UK, was originally run out of a wooden “shed” before moving into its famous art nouveau-style building, complete with chandeliers, in 1931.
Now, the Wetherby Whaler group, which has four restaurants and takeaways in Yorkshire, said it would invest £500,000 on refurbishing the restaurant to become its flagship branch.
A spokeswoman for the group said the famous chandeliers would be updated with new fittings and it was hoped that the original “shed” could be preserved.
Phillip Murphy, who launched the Wetherby Whaler with his wife Janine in 1989, said: “The famous fish and chip restaurant in Guiseley is the spiritual home of fish and chips in England. It would be a national scandal if it were to close at this time of economic uncertainty.
“Our investment has saved a Yorkshire landmark and will ensure the tradition of fine fish and chips continues at this important location.
“The new Wetherby Whaler in Guiseley will be our flagship restaurant. We expect it to recapture the atmosphere and flavours of Harry Ramsden’s best years.
“We are confident that with the right investment, careful attention to detail, great-tasting fish and chips and excellent value for money, we will make a lasting success of this new venture and return the restaurant to its glory days.
“Our family-owned business is built on solid foundations and this has given us the confidence to invest. It fits perfectly with our business strategy of controlled growth and accentuates our belief that Yorkshire is a great place to do business.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 7 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
horseoutside
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:56 AMAye lad, build a bloody drive through, great idea.
Gixer750
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:17 PMI agree with Stevem28 and I think Mark Paul has offered a great idea with a drive through. Best wishes to the new owners and all staff at the new Wetherby Whaler at Guiseley!
gazza3535
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:11 PMits a dam shame that it closed in the first place, but i have to say that the last time we went into the place, the service and food was crap, which was a shame as for many years we used to go there, it just shows you that what probably happened was they put a bunch of wiz kids into run it who nothing about the fish and chips game, poor old harry would be turning in his grave, thank you to the whaler, please try and keep its ambiance as it used to be
jbmosey
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:05 PMBack in the days of yore, there was a "walk up" window on the east side of the building with tables and chairs under a canopy. Of course, there was no drive through concept in those days. Not enough people had cars. We'd go there on the tram, and in later years, on the bus. A brilliant coup for Wetherby WhalerCravens (Pudsey) and they deserve all the credit in the world for not allowing this iconic business to be consumed by the crap foreign (curry, hamburgers, chicken etc.) fast food outlets that have systematically almost destroyed a world renowned Yorkshire tradition. FISH & CHIPS FOREVER!!!
stevem28
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:33 PMThis is great news for the fish and chip shops. Too many have gone and we need to get fish and chips back rather then too many curry and pizza shops.Fish and chips is a British tradition.
willie bell
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:12 PMI hope this new lot can make fish n chips ,unlike the last lot they were very expensive and bloody awful.
Mark Paul
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:32 PMbuild a drive through ! they wont be able to get in fast enough
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