Wetherby Whaler

The Wetherby Whaler is a chain of fish and chips restaurants in the United Kingdom. The first restaurant was founded in 1989 in Wetherby with four more having been subsequently opened across Yorkshire.[1][2]

The Wetherby Whaler
Restaurant information
Established1989
Food typeFish and chips
CountyYorkshire
CountryEngland
WebsiteWetherby Whaler

History

Phillip and Janine Murphy founded the Wetherby Whaler restaurant in 1989 having worked in fishery in Tadcaster since 1969.[3][4]

The original branch on Market Place, Wetherby seen in 2013.

The second restaurant in the chain was opened in 1990 in Pudsey.[3] More branches were opened thereafter; York in 1996 (which was expanded in 2014),[5] Wakefield in 2001 and Guiseley in 2012.[2]

Guiseley fish and chip shop Harry Ramsden's was acquired by the Wetherby Whaler in 2012 for £500,000.[6][7] Considered by reviewers in The Metro and The Guardian to be the "spiritual home" of fish and chips,[1][7][8][9] Harry Ramsden's had gone into administration six months before the sale due to financial issues.[1]

A charity musical performance with a storyline based on fish and chips was held at the Guiseley restaurant in 2016.[10]

Reception
Wetherby Whaler sponsored the 2015 Festive Challenge between Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity.

Reviews of the Wetherby Whaler restaurants have been generally favourable. Yorkshire Life identified the Wetherby Whaler as one of the best fish and chip shops[11] and the best gluten-free restaurant[12] in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Evening Post also placed the Leeds branch among its list of top restaurants in the city.[13] The restaurants' gluten-free menus have received praise from several coeliac restaurant reviewers.[14][15]

On National Fish and Chips Day, the restaurants offer a large meal as part of the "Impossible Fish 'n' Chips Challenge" which is traditionally attempted by local news reporters and restaurant reviewers, to varying degrees of success.[16][17]

In January 2017, The Wetherby Whaler won the National Federation of Fish Friers Fish and Chip Quality Award after an inspection based on hygiene standards, staff training and food quality.[18][19]

Charity involvement

The Wetherby Whaler regularly sponsors regional awards including the Yorkshire Choice Awards[4] and the Yorkshire Young Achievers Award.[20][21]

In 2015, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance awarded the chain a corporate sponsor recognition award for the fundraising they have done since 2012.[22][23]

References
  1. "Harry Ramsden's re-opens under new owners". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  2. "About the Wetherby Whaler". The Wetherby Whaler. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  3. "Phillip Murphy, founder and managing director of the Wetherby Whaler". York Press. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  4. "Introducing Award Sponsors, Wetherby Whaler". Yorkshire Choice Awards. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  5. "The Wetherby Whaler's £60,000 investment in York restaurant". York Press. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  6. "First Harry Ramsden's chip shop bought by Whaler Group". BBC. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  7. "Harry Ramsden's original fish and chip shop is saved". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  8. "World's most famous fish and chips shop reopens under new name". The Metro. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  9. "Harry Ramsden's bought by Wetherby Whaler". Telegraph and Argus. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  10. "Chip shop musical to be staged at Guiseley's Wetherby Whaler". Telegraph and Argus. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  11. "The best fish and chip shops in Yorkshire". Yorkshire Life. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  12. "Six of the best gluten-free restaurants in Yorkshire". Yorkshire Life. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  13. "Leeds recommends: Best place for fish and chips". The Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  14. "Wetherby Whaler, Wakefield, West Yorkshire". Coeliac Sanctuary. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  15. "Restaurant Review: The Wetherby Whaler, Guiseley". The Happy Coeliac. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  16. "Fish'n Impossible at the Wetherby Whaler for National Fish and Chip Day". Leeds Welcome. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  17. "Wetherby Whaler at Guiseley launches Fish 'n' Impossible challenge for National Fish and Chip Day". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  18. "Whaler lands top award". Wetherby News. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  19. "Guiseley's Wetherby Whaler gets national quality award". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  20. "Nominations open for 25th Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards". ITV. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  21. "Wetherby Whaler sponsors Yorkshire Young Achiever award". Ilkley Gazette. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  22. "Wetherby Whaler among winners at Yorkshire Air Ambulance Recognition Awards". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  23. "Wetherby Whaler among winners at Yorkshire Air Ambulance Recognition Awards". Wharfedale Observer. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
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