Past returns for shop future (From Wharfedale Observer)

Past returns for shop future

3:45pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in Local news

The new owners of the iconic former Harry Ramsden’s restaurant have gone back to the future as they attempt to bring it back to life.

After taking over the site in White Cross, Guiseley, bosses from the Wetherby Whaler promised to return the restaurant to its former glories with a £500,000 refurbishment, including recreating the atmosphere and art deco appearance of the building.

As part of the work, they have turned to a plasterer who worked on the original restaurant to give it the right look and feel.

Gary Woolley worked on the ornate plasterwork and helped to create the original art deco mouldings.

Now Mr Woolley, who has worked for Stead’s Fibrous Plasterers for 42 years, has been re-hired to recreate the designs, using the original moulds ahead of the restaurant’s re-opening.

Phillip Murphy, owner of the Wetherby Whaler, said: “There can be no better way of making sure that the renowned plasterwork is renovated to its original standard than by working with the company that carried out the initial work.

“We were absolutely delighted that the original moulds were still in existence and the quality of Gary’s craftsmanship was certainly comparable to that of all those years ago.”