Original Harry Ramsden's bought by rival chippy


Updated on 06 February 2012 | 0 Comments

The Guiseley restaurant has been bought by the Wetherby Whaler Group as their 'flagship'.

The original Harry Ramsden’s is to carry on as a fish and chip restaurant after it was bought by rival chain  Wetherby Whaler.

It was announced back in November that the Guiseley restaurant would close, as it is losing money. The restaurant is on the site of Harry Ramsden’s original fish and chip hut, which opened in 1928.

The hut itself still stands on the site and a spokeswoman for the Wetherby Whaler Group said she hoped it could be preserved. They also plan to update the restaurant’s chandeliers.

Phillip Murphy, who bought the Wetherby Whaler with his wife Janine in 1989 and has expanded the brand to four restaurants, 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.

“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.”

The Wetherby Whaler Group also has branches in Pudsey, York and Wakefield.

The Guiseley branch of Harry Ramsden’s had been criticised by both local politicians and local people for increasing prices as the quality of the food was deteriorating.

Famous past diners include Margaret Thatcher, Jimi Hendrix, John Major, Jeffrey Archer and local boy Sir Jimmy Savile.

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