Harry’s Fishy Facts

So, do you think you know fish and chips? Here are a few snippets about Harry Ramsden’s and this favourite British food in general…

One of Harry Ramsden’s nephews was Harry Corbett of Sooty fame, who occasionally played the piano in his uncle’s Guiseley restaurant.
In 1952, to prove the extent of Harry’s fame, another nephew sent a letter to: Harry Ramsden, The Uncrowned Fish & Chip Shop King, England. It arrived two days later.
To mark his restaurant’s 21st birthday in 1952, Harry Ramsden served fish and chips at the original prices, selling a world record 10,000 portions in a single day.
Harry Ramsden’s has broken this one-day record three times, serving 10,182 portions in Guiseley (1988), 11,964 in Glasgow (1992) and 12,105 in Melbourne (1996).

Charles Dickens refers to fried fish warehouses in his 1838 novel Oliver Twist. The cold fish was sold by street vendors, precursors of the modern fish and chip takeaway.
It is thought the first ‘proper’ fish and chip shop appeared in Mossley near Oldham in 1863, though many credit a London vendor three years earlier.
In the early 20th century, fish, chips and mushy peas provided an affordable way of adding protein and vitamins to their basic diet.
Fish and chips was the only take-away food not rationed in the Second World War. Lord Woolton, Minister of Food, even allowed mobile frying vans to carry fish and chips to evacuees around the UK.

There are now around 8,500 fish and chip shops across the UK – that’s twelve for every McDonalds’s outlet. (Source: National Institute of Fish Fryers).
On a Friday in the UK, 20% of meals purchased outside the home are from a fish and chip shop.
(Source: Seafish.org)
Last year over 250 million fish and chip shop meals (featuring fish) were sold throughout the UK, making them the nation's favourite hot take-away outlet.
(Source: Seafish.org)
Fish and chips are popular at celebrity weddings. Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Myleene Klass are among those rumoured to have served them on their big day.
(Source: Seafish.org)