Paisley tries hand at the frying game

By Angela Jameson

Bill Paisley, the irrepressible former general manager of the Glasgow Hilton, is to launch a chain of fish and chip restaurants called Buster's.

Mr Paisley, who developed a reputation for eyebrow-raising publicity stunts when general manager at the Copthorne Newcastle between 1991 and 1993, has been working on the launch of the restaurant chain, in which he has a stake, since January. He left the Glasgow Hilton at the end of last year.

The first Buster's is to open in central Dundee at Stack Leisure Park this July.

The name refers to a Dundee speciality of chips and hot peas, which were originally sold from a stall in Dundee's Greenmarket.

"Having looked at the leisure market, we felt the fish and chip business warranted our attention," said Mr Paisley.

The restaurants plan to offer value for money and quality food. They will be traditional tablecloth establishments with waiter service, which will inevitably lead people to draw comparisons with the Yorkshire-based Harry Ramsden's chain.

"All credit to them, I think they have done a terrific job," said Mr Paisley. "But we didn't establish the group just to compete with Harry Ramsden's - there are 10,000 fish and chip shops in the country."

Buster's Restaurants - a division of property developers Cox-Johnston Management Services - has set a target of 10 restaurant openings in the next four years.

The first three sites will be in Scotland, with the second likely to open in early 1997.

The company is investing £500,000 in the first site, which will have 180 seats and a take-away outlet. An average spend per head of £5 is anticipated.

Desirable sites for the would-be chain are locations close to main routes and centres of population. "The business is volume-driven, so sites such as leisure parks or tourist locations are ideal," said Mr Paisley.