Staff shocked and saddened as popular Harrogate fish and chip restaurant forced to close

Staff at the Harrogate restaurant today confirmed they had been asked to clear up the restaurant on Cheltenham Parade, close the doors and not turn up for work tomorrow.

First look as Graveley's of Harrogate undergoes £250k refurbishment to become Catch Seafood

Catch operates five restaurants across the Leeds and West Yorkshire area and it is understood that those in Halifax, Headingley, Holmfirth and Moortown have also closed.

Assistant manager of Catch Seafood in Harrogate, Sarah Knox, who joined the Catch 'family' of Yorkshire restaurants in 2020, said the staff were "shocked" by the news.

"The people in charge said the restaurant had stopped trading,” she said.

"We are all shocked and gutted. We've spent today cleaning everything down and answering phone calls from customers.

"We won't be open tomorrow."

Review: Fish and chips of dreams at Harrogate's Catch Seafood

The news will come as a shock to the town as the one-time family-run Graveley's was very much seen as a local institution in fish and chips.

Catch took over in 2021, changing the restaurant’s name and undertaking a £250,000 transformation of the seating area.

The new owners brought a modern but respectful twist on the classical fish and chip restaurant and seafood dining experience with stylish fittings, lighter and healthier menu options, a broader selection of drinks and relaxed but professional service.

Despite the substantial investment, Catch Seafood in Harrogate has seemingly been unable to survive.