Let down BADLY (Harry Ramsdens in general)

Member Name: killip

Product:	Harry Ramsdens in general
Date:	12/09/01 (708 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: World famous

Disadvantages: Directors have screwed elite image

Harry Ramsdens used to be my favourite fish and chip restaurant in the world until about two years ago when they let themselves down and just recently they have REALLY let themselves down again.

Harry Ramsdens at Guisely, near Leeds, has this massive fascia on the front which is like a long porch. EVERY Sunday this used to be full with people queueing to get in to sample Yorkshire's finest fish and chips (and if they're Yorkshire's finest they must be Britain's finest!). About 10 years ago they then opened branches all around the country and thw world. I know there is a Harrys at Blackpool and also one in London but I'm not sure what other cities have them.

This was fine, we visited the one in Blackpool and the fish and chips were almost as good as the ones at Guisely although they just weren't the same. You'll know what I mean if you visited Guisely before a couple of months ago - they are, simply, the original.

Later on though, about two years ago they really really dented their profile. At Birstall just next to the retail park with the Ikea, there is a little Harry Ramsdens. The Harry Ramsdens company had set up little chain stores of Harry Ramsdens, like McDonalds or KFC! We actually visited there after going to the Showcase cinema - never again! The fish and chips were just disgusting! There was a counter like at McDonalds and a small eating area with the tables PRINTED as if they were chequed - tacky!!!!! This didn't affect the quality of the Guisely restaurant though.

However about 2 months ago they refurbished the traditionally decorated Guisely restaurant. They shut it down for about a week so after they finished we decided to go for a visit.

Before the refurbishment it is fair to say that Harrys was the most tastefully decorated and classy chippy in the world. It had wall-to-wall carpeting, lovely walls with sculptures and things and one of those pianos that played itself. Th
e waitresses wore traditional dress and were very polite. Not to mention the bl**dy good fish and chips!

We went after the refurbishment. Wall decoration gone. Piano gone. Traditional waitresses gone. The fish and chips tasted like the Birstall fast food outlet! Now there is no queue for the restaurant and the take-out is more busy and to be quite honest, its not surprising!

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