BRADFORD'S Lord Mayor welcomed the most famous name in fish and chips back to Yorkshire yesterday - but the opening of a new Harry Ramsden's is also causing controversy in Wrose.

Councillor Mike Gibbons joined Harry Ramsden's franchisees Vikesh and Dimple Patel at the new shop on Wrose Road, which is close to two established fish and chip shops, Claremont Fisheries and Wrose Fisheries.

The owner of Claremont, a purpose-built shop which opened in 1934 has branded the location as "ridiculous."

"You have to live with competition, but I don't like Ramsden's steam-rollering in and splitting up two existing shops which are just 200 yards apart," said Zbigniew 'Zak' Rajchel.

"Two is company and three is a crowd. Having three fish and chip shops so close together is just ridiculous."

Mr Rajchel's shop is on a small parade where there is also a Chinese takeaway and a balti shop.

He said when a planning application was submitted to Bradford Council for another takeaway close by, he and others never suspected it would be Harry Ramsden's.

"I just cannot understand the logic of doing such a thing other than driving us out," said Mr Rajchel, 64, who is handing the family business to his son, Andrew, next year.

"We are not a tourist area here, we have passing trade and our regular customers, we're not near a football ground or anything.

"All the hype is about Harry coming back to Yorkshire, but it's at a price to others."

Ward councillor for Windhill and Wrose Vanda Greenwood (Lab) said she was surprised when the takeaway turned out to be another fish and chip shop.

"The owners of Claremont and the Wrose came to see me and I can understand them being upset.

"But once a planning application has been approved the Council is no longer responsible," she said.

Joe Teixeira, CEO of Harry Ramsden’s said it had scoured the area for suitable sites

“Demand in the UK for fish and chips continues unabated, with some £1.2 billion spent annually, so there is clearly a need for more rather than fewer outlets.

"This drives healthy competition to attract the customer and their hard earned money. This should be viewed positively as it results in an overall increase in standards with the consumer benefitting from improved choice, value and service."

Vikesh Patel, JVP Ventures, added: "Speaking as a Yorkshire man, I am absolutely thrilled to bring Harry Ramsden’s back to the home of its founder."