Harry Ramsden’s returns to Yorkshire with new restaurant

Harry Ramsden’s is returning to its Yorkshire roots with the launch of a new restaurant in Staxton tomorrow.

Celebrating the homecoming, the Staxton store is offering 100 free portions of fish and chips for those who visit across the weekend – a modern-day nod to the brand’s historic “Big Fry” in 1952, when more than 10,000 portions were served in a single day. However, to claim a portion, customers need to present a copy of Harry Ramsden’s limited-edition newspaper, The Frying Times.

Inspired by the tradition of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, The Frying Times is a bespoke, vintage-style newspaper that includes a pull out voucher to redeem a free chippy tea at the new Staxton restaurant. It also features local profiles, “fishy” horoscopes and a look back at the brand’s Yorkshire origins, dating back to 1928. Copies have been distributed across York and Scarborough, with a digital edition available online for those unable to get a print copy. 

The chain describes the return of Harry Ramsden’s to Staxton as a “symbolic full-circle moment”, with customers able to expect its secret recipe batter and fish and chips fried in beef dripping.

Mike Mitchinson, director of operations said “The opening of the Staxton restaurant represents a symbolic homecoming for Harry Ramsden’s. Yorkshire is where our story began nearly a century ago, and we felt it was only fitting to mark our return by celebrating with the local community. The Frying Times allows us to honour our heritage and the traditional British chip shop experience while welcoming a new generation of customers to the brand.”