Britain's largest fish and chip chain shuts NINE restaurants in major shake-up – is one going near you?

Scottish Sun

08-07-2025

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BRITAIN'S largest fish and chip chain has sold off nine of its popular restaurants.
The sale is part of a major shake-up for the brand, as it shifts its focus to another popular restaurant chain that it owns.
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KXC31W The Harry Ramsden Fish and Chips Restaurant at Bournemouth seafront during evening light against blue sky in January 2018, Dorset, England, UK
Credit: Alamy
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Barry Moran undertakes, and fails, the Harry Ramsden Challenge.
Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
Deep Blue Restaurants is the largest operator of fish and chip restaurants in the UK and owns several well-known brands.
It bought the popular chain Harry Ramsden's in 2019 and has decided to shift its focus to that rapidly growing brand.
As part of the overhaul, the company's latest accounts have revealed that it has sold nine Deep Blue Restaurants.
The eateries were sold between October 2024 and May 2025 and the money raised has been channeled into Harry Ramsden's restaurants.
The funds were used to refurbish some of Harry Ramsden's restaurants, as well as funding several national and international marketing campaigns.
Deep Blue Restaurants has been battling a drop in sales over the last year, with its turnover falling by 2.5 per cent in September 2024.
Despite its successful efforts in securing £5.57 million in debt funding between October 2024 and February 2025, the company has pushed ahead with its strategic shakeup.
Writing in his firm's accounts, James Fleming, the group's Chief Executive, said: 'As in prior years, global events, the cost of living crisis and food cost inflation continued to present headwinds to trading in the first three quarters of FY 2025.
'Despite this, performance has been robust. Looking at the sites on a like for like basis (to account for the disposal of some stores) the group is trading in line with the budget set at the start of the year.
'Continued success with the franchising and licensing of the Harry Ramsden's brand has further driven revenue and profitability across the group.
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'Management continue to focus on developing this element of the business, and there have been further new contract wins into 2025.'
The news comes as TGI Fridays announced its return to the high street, after being saved from administration.
The company's bosses have said that a 'full brand reset' is now underway, with 70 per cent of its grill items being reworked.
A greater focus will be placed on its Americana aesthetic and theatre theme.
TGI Fridays has been a mainstay on UK high streets since 1986, but has encountered falling sales over recent years.
35 of its restaurants were closed, making 1000 members of staff redundant.
However, Breal Capital and Calveton UK has acquired its remaining 51 restaurants.
Julie McEwan, chief executive of TGI Fridays UK, said: "This is an exciting moment for TGI Fridays - a full brand reset that reinforces everything people have always loved about us.
"TGI Fridays has a rich heritage of bold flavour, high-energy hospitality and unforgettable celebrations - and we've gone back to those roots to bring that magic into a new era.
"Over the past eight months, we've restructured the business, invested in our incredible team, and rebuilt our offer around quality, value and experience."
Deep Blue Restaurants have been approached for comment by The Sun.