UK McDonald's branch 'bans children' as they create a special 'zone'
A McDonald's branch in the UK has created a kid-free zone for customers, where under-16s are forbidden from entering.
The restaurant in Whitefield, Greater Manchester, now boasts an area which is strictly 'reserved' for adults five days a week.
Children are 'banned' from entering the sanctuary where grown ups can't hear the screams of excited youngsters fumbling for their Happy Meal toy from Monday to Friday.
The idea behind it is to give remote workers who might be camping out in the Whitefield branch a place to get their work done...in peace.
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A sign has been erected inside the McDonald's which spells out the rules which apply in the 'business/quiet area'.
It explains that if you don't look old enough to enjoy your Big Mac there, staff can sling you out into another part of the branch to finish your meal.
The notice states: "On weekdays, this area is reserved for business/laptop users and adults over 16. If you are lucky enough to look under 16, we reserve the right to ask you to use an alternative area of the restaurant."
Interestingly, the Whitefield branch goes on to explain that parties can also book the area out ahead of time, too.
The sign continues: "If you would like to reserve this area for a group business meeting, please let us know in advance.
"Although not guaranteed, we will try our best to accommodate your request. Please ask for the shift manager.
"Thank you for your understanding and co-operation."
There are also 'additional power sockets with USB ports' in certain seats to make the experience run even smoother for those hard at work in the so-called 'business zone'.
McDonald's has since explained that it is not rolling this out in all of its UK branches, but confirmed the quiet zone has been implemented in its Whitefield restaurant.
Simon Toft, who owns and operates the restaurant, explained why he brought in the option to sit away from the hustle and bustle.
"Customer experience in my restaurant is incredibly important to me, and my team and I work hard to make sure everyone has a great time when visiting Whitefield McDonald’s," he told LADbible.
"After listening to customer feedback, we’ve introduced a dedicated Business Area on weekdays for anyone ages 16 and over who wants a quieter space to work or study.
"We want the restaurant to be a space that works for everyone - whether you’re bringing the kids to enjoy the Play Place or looking for a calm spot to focus, we’re proud to offer spaces that suit everyone as part of our commitment to being a good neighbour in our local community."
So if you see a queue out the door at the Whitefield branch next time you pay it a visit, you know why.
Similarly, a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool brought in a ban on all under-18s entering after 5.00pm in 2022 in a bid to reduce instances of 'anti-social behaviour'.
Topics: UK News, McDonalds, Food And Drink, Business
Olivia Burke