Harry Ramsden’s in Guiseley: Remembering The World’s Biggest Fish and Chip Shop

By Kim Revill

In 1952 a Guinness world record was broken in the village of Guiseley, close to Ilkley. It was at the world-renowned Harry Ramsden’s in White Cross that 10,000 portions of fish and chips were served in just one day, such was the popularity of this food. It was the most served in one day, more than anywhere else in the world, and it was declared a global record.

Fish and chips were, and still remain, a popular fast-food dish of choice among the British and has often been dubbed ‘the people’s food’. The dish is thought to date back in Britain to the 1800s but food historians have traced fish and chips back even further to Portugal in the fifteenth century.

The world record predated the opening of the UK’s first high-street fast-food chain: Wimpey, which opened in 1954. The record was broken during celebrations of the chippy’s twenty-first birthday and such was the pomp and ceremony that went with it, crowds enjoyed music, entertainment and fireworks.

Twin sisters Mavis and Wendy Raistrick walked 4 miles from their home in Horsforth to join the thousands queuing for the tasty fish and chips. Such was the generosity of owner Harry, they were treated to a plate of the good stuff free of charge by being the first ones to head the queue.

Inside the former Harry Ramsden’s, which has been authentically decorated and
reintroduced to customers today now trading as Wetherby Whaler.

“Pilgrimage”

Harry Ramsden (1888–1963) opened his first fish and chip shop in 1928 in Bradford before serving up the two-dimensional dish from an old wooden hut in Guiseley’s White Cross, for which he paid £150. Harry also delivered his wares to local mills and businesses, feeding hungry workers during lunchtimes. Profits soared, which enabled Harry to build a brand-new premises at White Cross three years later.

The decadent interior of the building, which opened in 1931, included plush seating, original oak panelling, stained glass, high ceilings and gorgeous chandeliers that lit the way, making it an experience, rather than a necessity for the customers. The single-storey building, complete with a trusty roof clock, resembled a railway station with its grand lettering bearing the Harry Ramsden name above the door.

Indeed coach and train loads of people flocked to Guiseley to make the pilgrimage to Harry Ramsden’s. Many others walked miles to White Cross just like Mavis and Wendy. Customers were treated like royalty, and they were served regular recitals on the grand piano in the corner of the restaurant.</p>

Harry Ramsden’s nephew, Harry Corbett, regularly played a tune or two in his uncle’s restaurant. Harry Corbett is best known as the puppeteer and creator of the iconic Sooty and Sweep popular with children in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

“Doubled in size”

Harry Ramsden decided to retire and sold his business to associate Eddie Stokes, but the latter kept the trusted name. Some argued that Harry might have reached the pinnacle of his success with the world record achievement two years earlier and that was the reason for giving up the shop. But the name carried on and the brand expanded to other towns across the country.

Harry Ramsden’s even boasts a rock and roll link. Jimi Hendrix, arguably the greatest rock guitarist in history, was spotted patiently queuing for fish, chips and mushy peas at the restaurant after playing an impromptu gig at the former Troutbeck Hotel in Ilkley on 12 March 1967.

In 1968 the Guiseley restaurant doubled in size to become the largest fish and chip shop in the world, seating around 250 customers. Guiseley’s Harry Ramsden’s closed in 2011 and fierce competition was blamed for the reason. In 2012 fellow Yorkshire family firm the Wetherby Whaler took over the business and spent £750,000 on refurbishing works, restoring the glamour and opulence once more to Harry Ramsden’s.

“Blue plaque”

The Tadcaster-based business preserved the original features such as the oak panelling, stained glass and marble pillaring. In homage to the great man and his nephew, Harry, a baby grand piano even sits in the corner. Despite attempts to save and preserve the old original wooden hut at the back of the restaurant where the story of Harry Ramsden’s all began, it was demolished for safety reasons.

Today, Harry Ramsden’s legacy lives on throughout the UK despite a takeover by Deep Blue Restaurants in 2019 that resulted in the reduction of the number of restaurants bearing the famous name. Generously, Phillip and Janine Murphy, co-owners of the Wetherby Whaler, were keen to keep Harry’s name alive when they rescued and renovated the Guiseley building in 2011.

A blue plaque honouring the importance of Harry Ramsden’s legacy was unveiled by members from the local Civic Trusts. It can be seen on the exterior wall of the Wetherby Whaler as a permanent reminder that the building remains the forever spiritual home of fish and chips.

Article taken from ‘Ilkley and Around in 50 Buildings’ by Kim Revill, published by Amberley Publishing