The iconic Harry Ramsden’s restaurant at White Cross, Guiseley, where the world-famous brand began, could close next month, bringing to an end more than 80 years of business history.

Harry Ramsden’s turned fish and chips into a fine dining experience. Sitting beneath chandeliers while a pianist played in the corner, coachloads of diners flocked to experience the popular staple of the Yorkshire diet, served by waiting staff in starched white aprons, and for many years there were long queues outside.

Harry Ramsden served his first fish and chips from a 10ft by 6ft wooden hut, preserved at the White Cross site, in 1928.

Success led to expansion into the fish and chip ‘palace’, as it was known, which also included an amusement arcade.

Harry Ramsden’s became famous, with outlets opening throughout the world. Wherever you went, you could be sure that someone had heard of Harry Ramsden’s fish and chips.

So why is its original Guiseley branch now facing closure?

Joe Teixeira, chief executive of Boparan Ventures, which bought Harry Ramsden’s in February 2010 with a view to revitalising the business, says: "While the 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.”

Compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out, but bosses have said alternative jobs would be found for as many people as possible. A 30-day consultation period with the 24 staff at Guiseley is now under way.

The company says it will look to open new outlets at other venues in Yorkshire and around the UK.

“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,” says Mr Teixeira.

Chris Wood, partner in the Corporate Solutions department at Clough & Co accountants in Cleckheaton, says in general terms businesses often struggle if they aren’t ‘new and fresh.’ He says businesses face a choice of either revamping, which costs money, or continuing as they are.

“People have the choice of spending an awful lot of money on revamping something to make it a destination again or they carry on as it is,” he says.

“That is the real challenge for businesses in making sure they are still fresh and appealing to their customer base, wherever they may be.”

News of the proposed closure has saddened those who grew up with the legacy of the Harry Ramsden’s dining experience.

Television presenter Matthew Corbett, the great nephew of Harry Ramsden, says: “It is very sad, however, I have to say, the sadness happened a long time ago.”

Adele Woodrow, who grew up in Guiseley, was a regular at the restaurant with her family. “I remember the triangular buttered bread and puddings too, jam roly poly and custard,” Adele says.

The milliner, who runs a designer hat business near the restaurant, recalls playing in the arcade with her brother and having a go on rides at a fairground which was often on site.

Richard North grew up in Guiseley and, along with wife Lisa, is continuing the family hairdressing business founded in the town in 1937. He remembers his mother taking him to Harry Ramsden’s as a child.

“It was very exciting in those days through the eyes of a child. There were chandeliers on the ceiling, it was quite an exciting place to go,” he says. “I remember coach trips arriving and massive queues outside.

“But while it is sad to lose an iconic business like Harry Ramdsen’s, it’s no good living in the past. If it’s not working we have to move on. It could be an opportunity to breathe some life into Guiseley,” he adds.