Fish and chips back on the menu as Harry Ramsden’s opens first of 50 stores

OWNERS of fish and chip chain Harry Ramsden’s have opened a branch in Shipley marking a major expansion programme in the region.

JVP Ventures is set to open up to 50 branches throughout Yorkshire in the months ahead.

Harry Ramsden’s opened an outlet in Guiseley in 1928 but the restaurant closed three years ago.

There are Harry Ramsden’s in Scarborough and at Woodall services on the M1 in South Yorkshire, and the Shipley branch will mark the return of the brand to West Yorkshire.

The new 1,000 sq ft premises opened on Monday, March 30.

Shashi Patel, of JVP Ventures, said: “Harry Ramsden’s is fantastic brand which serves up quality products that customers enjoy. It’s traditional fish and chips at its best and we are delighted to be bringing the brand to Shipley.”

Outlets in Huddersfield and Sheffield are due to open in the coming months.

To obtain funding for the Shipley franchise, Mr Patel turned to NatWest senior relationship manager Tom Smith for support.

Mr Smith, who specialises in supporting businesses in the leisure sector, provided a six-figure loan as part of the bank’s involvement in the Government-backed Funding For Lending programme.

Mr Smith said: “I was delighted to support JVP Ventures with its opening of Harry Ramsden’s in Shipley. It’s a fantastic business offering a much-loved product and I wish the business every success for the future.”