Harry Ramsden’s landmark fish and chip shop in Guiseley is set for the chop as bosses look to modernise the brand and stem losses.

The operation at White Cross which gave birth to a worldwide food brand looks set to close next month following a 30-day consultation period with the 24 staff.

Bosses have not ruled out compulsory redundancies but said alternative jobs would be found for as many people as possible.

While planning to bring down the shutters on what was once known as the world’s biggest fish and chip restaurant, executives of Boparan Ventures, which bought Harry Ramsden’s in February 2010 with a promise to revitalise the business, say they will look to open new outlets at other venues in Yorkshire and around the UK.

Chief executive Joe Teixeira said: “Whilst the Harry Ramsden’s brand remains strong nationally, it is not immune from the challenging economic environment.

“The Guiseley restaurant is making a loss and needs a considerable investment before it could potentially become profitable again.

“This has been a difficult decision that has not been taken lightly, especially given the wonderful, affectionate support Harry’s in Guiseley has enjoyed from its customers and staff. But we have to face the economic reality that it is loss-making.

“I appreciate that this news will be deeply upsetting and stressful for our staff. We are giving them as much information as possible and doing whatever we can to help them through what will be a traumatic period for them.”

As part of a plan to modernise the 83-year-old brand and reposition it in the market, the company said it also intends to expand the brand extensively throughout the UK, creating a significant number of new jobs, and for a refurbishment of the current estate. A search for suitable sites is underway, bosses said.

The White Cross site was where the original business began in 1928 in a ten foot by six foot wooden hut. The secret recipe used by Bradford-born Harry Ramsden when he started selling fish is still used today.

Harry Ramsden’s was bought by Asian multi-millionaire businessman Ranjit Boparan, who also owns Northern Foods and who pledged to put it “back on the map”.

The Midlands-based entrepreneur formed Boparan Ventures in 2008 to invest in under-performing businesses with long-term growth potential and rescued the flagging Fishworks restaurant chain.

At the time of the acquisition Mr Boparan said he planned to expand Harry Ramsden’s current chain of 36 outlets by opening 100 new sites over the next five years, creating 600 jobs.

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