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From our local paper!
Harry Ramsden staff shocked by Undercover Boss
Last updated: 29/07/2010 15:00:00
Staff at the Harry Ramsden restaurant on Great Yarmouth seafront were thrilled when they were told they were to feature in a documentary on the history of the famous fish and chip shop chain.
And when Channel 4's film crew turned up on the busy Whitsun bank holiday they were more than happy to chat to the bespectacled, blonde curly haired woman helping the cameramen by posing as a fryer and waitress.
In fact, “Millie Percy” seemed such a natural that when innocently asked by one of the crew whether she would employ her, then assistant manager Donna Hunn emphatically replied: Yes, with a bit more training.”
It was only two days after the television crew's visit that the 36 staff were told the shocking truth that the crew had actually been shooting for the hit series Undercover Boss in which company chiefs go under cover to learn what is happening at the sharp end.
“Millie Percy” was in fact Harry Ramsden's new chief executive officer Marija Simovic in disguise.
Donna, 38, since elevated to restaurant manager, said: “Everyone's first reaction was, 'Oh my God, no way, they are going to close the place down'.”
Their fears centred on the reality that the restaurant was in need of major refurbishment and staff were struggling with broken frying pans and a faulty hot water boiler.
Donna admitted: “Marija was shocked at how much was broken but she has made it clear she would help us all the way to get the business up and running.
“Within two weeks we had new pans and a new boiler, the outside has been redecorated and we are going to get a complete refurbishment after the summer.”
She said no one had an inkling they were being filmed for the show - regularly attracting an audience of 4m - which will be screened on Channel 4 tonight.
“Marija was dressed like a waitress and she looked completely different to what she is like normally,” she said.
“She talked to all the staff and I was telling her about my role, meeting and greeting people and ensuring everything was running correctly.”
Speaking yesterday to the Evening News, Marija said Midlands-based Boparan Ventures Limited had only taken over the 34-branch chain at the end of January and her television visits to Yarmouth and three other restaurants in Blackpool, Southampton and Birmingham had been a great opportunity to see what the issues were.
She said: “Harry's is a British institution and I'm determined to put it back on the map. It was nerve-wracking going undercover but the whole experience has really opened my eyes to exactly what needs to be done.
“As a result we are hard at work refreshing the menus and the stores, all centred around what our customers tell us keeps them coming back - the taste and quality of our fish and chips.
“It's not going to be easy. but what impressed me the most was our wonderful workforce, many of whom have been with Harry's for decades.
She said she would never ask staff to do something she was not prepared to do herself and television viewers will even see her cleaning the toilets in one of the restaurants she visits.
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Anyone watch this? I have recorded it to watch later with o.h.
The last two programmes have been really good.
Lizx
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There is an old Scottish word which covers this behaviour , like no other word can.
It is *SLEEKIT*....
Sorry, but you want to help.... come and help, don't hide behind
a ridiculous facade.
There you are girls.... so now you know what mood I got up in this morning..... ;-0)
As for you Liz.... put the paper down and go do something more constructive.... like .... phone a friend?..... ON SKYPE!
Deanna X
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