UK McDonald's rolls out 'adult only' zone as kids banned five days a week
A McDonald's in Whitefield, Greater Manchester, has stirred up a storm by introducing an adults-only zone within its premises. The fast-food giant has sectioned off a part of the restaurant and put up a sign forbidding under 16s from entering, stating they will be asked to leave if they do not comply.
This unprecedented move aims to create a kid-free haven for remote workers and businesses, especially now that school's out for summer. From Monday to Friday, customers can munch on their Big Macs undisturbed, with certain areas earmarked for business meetings. The notice clearly 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. 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."
Since August 2019, the sign has been in place, and McDonald's confirms that while the Whitefield branch boasts 132 seats, the designated work-friendly zone comprises just 18 seats, leaving plenty of space for families and children, who also have access to an outdoor play area.
McDonald's franchise owner Simon Toft, who operates the Whitefield branch, has made it clear that customer satisfaction is paramount. "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."
In response to what patrons wanted, they've now set up a special Business Area available on weekdays for those 16 and older seeking a peaceful place to work or study, reports the Daily Star. "After listening to customer feedback, we've introduced a dedicated Business Area on weekdays for anyone aged 16 and over who wants a quieter space to work or study."
Mr Toft emphasises the inclusive nature of the restaurant, catering to all needs from family fun to quiet concentration. "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 community."
This follows a similar initiative at the Corstorphine Retail Park McDonald's in Edinburgh earlier this year, where they restricted access to under-16s after 5pm without adult supervision to tackle "anti-social behaviour,".
The decision sparked mixed reactions among locals. One person voiced their disagreement online: "I don't agree with that, my son is 14 and is a great kid and regularly goes for food with his friends, sometimes after 5pm."
They argued that it was unfair for well-behaved children to suffer because of a few troublemakers: "It's not fair that all kids have to miss out due to the behaviour of a minority."
Another critic labelled the move as a typical overreaction: "Standard UK response to trouble. Blanket ban instead of actually addressing the problem."
Yet, there were those who supported the measure, with one commenter suggesting it should be a widespread policy: "Should be extended everywhere." Another concurred with the decision: "Many should follow your decision."
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