Businesses are people - create quality sell quality

News this week about Harry Ramsdens in Guiseley closing is a travesty. The site is the original location of where Harry Ramsden himself fried fish & chips from a wooden hut. Since then, a sizeable restaurant and takeaway was built and was very successful for many years. Since new owners have taken over, the corporate ideals have taken over from the traditional business that Guiseley was once proud to have. Further information can be obtained from the BBC website here.

The old saying, "businesses are people" is very true and can be demonstrated in this instance. Only a few miles down the road, Murgatroyds Fish & Chips restaurant & takeaway is as busy as ever, queues stretch round the building for hungry customers waiting to eat. Similarly, Webster Fish & Chips in Baildon provide a fantastic product with an excellent service and it is rare to see the restaurant or takeaway anything but full.

Perhaps Harry Ramsdens need to employ some caring fish fryers and less people in suits, perhaps the business can then return to the popular institution that it once was.

Harry Ramsden must be turning in his grave.

for more information on Ernest Wilson Business Agents, visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk

Richards Family Fisheries - Another recent sale

In early 2010, upon being made redundant, Barrie Richards contacted me and we met up and had a discussion about different types of businesses, price ranges etc. Barrie fancied running a fish & chips shop and I selected a number in the area and locations that were not to far for him to travel. Upon viewing some of the businesses he got an idea of what he required and also which businesses did not satisfy his requirements. One of the businesses he viewed, Websters Fisheries on Waterloo Road, Pudsey ticked every box and the same day Barrie made an offer which, after some negotiation, was accepted. After attending the Federation of Fish Friers training course, Barrie attended at the business and Mark Webster, the owner gave Barrie full 'hands on' training. Soon, Barrie was competent in all aspects of running the shop ie. cutting fish, rumbling potatoes and obviously frying. After completion, Barrie put his marketing skills into good use and not only produced fantastic fish & chips but also increased the already excellent turnover, partly down to rebranding the shop 'Richards Family Fisheries'. In October 2010, Barrie decided to sell the business and fancied buying a run down fish & chips shop to build up as he enjoys utilising his marketing skills. Yesterday, Barrie's Solicitors completed the sale of 'Richards Family Fisheries' and next week Barrie completes the purchase of Holywell Green Fisheries, Halifax which no doubt will also be a roaring success - watch this space!

for more information on Ernest Wilson Business Agents, visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk