Locals say Ramsay ‘ruined’ pub

CELEBRITY chef Gordon Ramsay is being accused of ripping the heart out of a historic pub he has taken over.

Ramsay has angered locals Ramsay has angered locals

Angry regulars say the star of TV’s Hell’s Kitchen and The F Word has taken all the quirky character out of their local. [>

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And with prices of £40 a head for dinner without wine and more than £11 for a small homemade pie, loyal customers are hoping his latest gastropub venture will not last long.[>

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Ramsay spent £5million renovating the Warrington Hotel which was built in 1859 and spent part of its early colourful history as a brothel. [>

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Many residents in Maida Vale, north-west  London, said they had hoped Ramsay would never open the restaurant, which offers traditional fare.[>

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Caroline Smith, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said: “It’s like he’s taken all the quirky character out of it and the way he’s pushed the prices up so much is just robbery. Before Gordon Ramsay took over, the meals averaged out at about £6 or £7. [>

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“Now the set evening menus are £40 a head which is just too expensive. Even a pie with mash and mushy peas at lunchtime is £11.50, which is not a good deal.[>

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“The quality is good, but it’s nothing special and no different to stuff you can make at home.[>

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“People round here liked the pub the way that it was – with the beer cheaper and a good atmosphere that catered for people of all ages.”[>

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Ramsay also booted out the Warrington’s popular Thai restaurant when he took over just before Christmas. It has moved to a pub around the corner, taking its customers with it. [>

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Ramsay’s other pub ventures in the capital opened to mixed reviews, with the main complaints being over prices. [>

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One said: “He’s just selling over-priced designer sausages. I can cook that sort of stuff at home and for a lot less money. Maybe he will just go away if people vote with their feet.”[>

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Elizabeth Virgo, of the Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society added: “There are so many gastropubs in this area, all very much the same, and we did not need another one.[>

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“They are all identical with hardly any character, selling wildly expensive food which is not worth it.” [>

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Ramsay was unavailable for comment.[>

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