A McDonald’s branch will no longer serve children without an adult after 5pm to avoid harassment of staff.
The fast food restaurant on Church Street in Liverpool has implemented the ban because too many employees have been ‘victims of verbal and physical abuse’.
One customer said: ‘I was in town the night before and there were large groups of children in Liverpool One and they were moved through security a number of times.’
The restriction is only temporary, but it is unclear how long it will last.
Security guards are apparently tasked with enforcing the new rules and are forced to turn away customers who look under the age of 18.
One customer said he saw a security guard explaining that the branch would not let in unaccompanied children and teenagers.
But the young man insisted he was in his twenties and had to apologise.
A McDonald’s spokesman said: ‘Over the past few weeks we have seen an increase in incidents of antisocial behavior in the area where our people are exposed to verbal and physical abuse.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour, and have temporarily restricted access to restaurants from 5 p.m. to U18s.
“This decision was not taken lightly and we are working closely with the police to find a solution and help reduce these incidents.”
Antisocial behavior isn’t the only thing the fast food giant is struggling with.
Like all companies, McDonald’s is also struggling with inflation – so much so that the chain had to do it raise the price of his 99p cheeseburger up to £1.19.
In a letter to customers, the company wrote: “We know it’s difficult right now. We live in incredibly challenging times and we are all seeing the cost of everyday items, such as food and energy, rising in ways many of us have never experienced.
“Just like you, our company, our franchisees who own and operate our restaurants, and our suppliers are all feeling the impact of rising inflation.
“While we see rising costs, we are committed to developing and rewarding our people, supporting our suppliers and the 25,000 British and Irish farmers we work with, and continuing to invest in community programs across the country.”
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