Hundreds queue for 7p fish and chips in Bournemouth

Yahoo

25-05-2025

HUNDREDS of residents turned out to celebrate the relaunch of Harry Ramsden's iconic fish and chips with portions available for just 7p, the original 1928 price.
On May 24, queues began forming early outside the popular Bournemouth branch as residents gathered for the one-day event, which was exclusively for takeaway orders.
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) The offer marked the return of Harry Ramsden's classic beef dripping fish and chips, the recipe that helped earn the brand worldwide fame.
The event started at 11.30am and saw many people joining the que at the beach side restaurant.
Mohammad Shaikh, General Manager at Harry Ramsden's, said the team had been preparing for the day for eight months.
(Image: Mohammad Shaikh, Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) He said: 'We were expecting a big queue and people started lining up before 10am. We've got five to six people working in the kitchen and four on security.
A total of 1,928 portions were prepared in honour of the year the brand was founded.
(Image: Staff of Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) Mohammad added: 'Seven-pence fish and chips is about taking it back to how it was back in the day. It's nostalgic. We expected a lot of people, maybe not quite this many, but it's fish and chips, so I'm not surprised.'
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) Friends Jeanette Kowski and Ingrid were among those in line, describing the experience as 'exciting' and 'nostalgic'.
(Image: Two friends Jeanette Kowski and Ingrid, Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) Jeanette said: 'I've had Harry Ramsden's quite often. But the experience of queuing up for it, for just seven pence and in beef dripping that's something special. I've never had it looked like that before.'
Ingrid said: 'Everyone's here, it's just beautiful. You can see the sea while you queue – can't beat that. They've gone back to the 1928 style, it's like stepping back in time, when people would queue for proper fish and chips.'
Bournemouth resident Rachel Cowie, who describes herself as a 'huge fan' of Harry Ramsden's, said she was proud to be part of the buzz.
(Image: Rachel Cowie, Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) She said: 'I was lucky to be involved in a social media campaign for them back in January. I did some filming and in return got £150 worth of vouchers that was lovely. The campaign did really well.'
'I know all about their history – my grandma, my granddad, we all love their fish and chips, and we love a good queue in this country, don't we?'
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
(Image: Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff)
Resident Alan Ball said he heard about the 7p promotion from a family member and made sure not to miss it.
(Image: Alan Ball, Harry and Ramsden's Bournemouth, NQ Staff) He said: 'There are so many people here. I thought I'd better come and join the queue too. It's one of my favourite dishes.'