HARRY RAMSDEN'S restaurant was good enough for Sir Elton John when he visited the region, but many of us are turning our backs on the humble fish and chips.
Last night, the famous restaurant stood boarded up on the waterfront at the Brunswick Dock after the company said sales had dramatically declined.
It has left food fans asking: Are the chips down for Britain's most traditional dish in Liverpool?
Last night, the city's fish and chip industry insisted people still want what was once Britain's best-loved dish, but admitted customers are demanding an added twist to their meals.
Leading chef Paul Heathcote says cod and chips is one of the best sellers on the menu at his city centre restaurant, Simply Heathcote's.
He said: "People have started to wise up to food. They don't want greasy, oily food, they want good quality that isn't going to clog up their arteries.
"They also want to eat their food in nice surroundings.
"Our fish and chips are very popular. The dish is traditional, but we do it with a nice sauce and real chips.
"New trends may come in, Oriental and Indian foods are very popular, but I think fish and chips will always prevail."
Akis Kahou, manager of Andy's chip shop, on Lark Lane, in Aigburth, said: "The problem with Harry Ramsden's was it was too expensive and it was in the wrong location.
"They only sold things like fish and chips and puddings, nothing extra. Most fish and chip shops in Liverpool sell a bit of Chinese food or pizzas, or even different sauces. That's what people want now.
News RSS Feed