ECHO readers have supported McDonald's decision to ban youths from a restaurant after 5pm as "the anti-social behaviour is a nightmare".
The McDonald's branch on Church Street in Liverpool City Centre has confirmed anyone under the age of 18 without an accompanying adult would be turned away in the evenings. A spokesperson for the popular fast food restaurant said this was because of a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area and employees being "subjected to verbal and physical abuse".
The decision to impose the restrictions is currently temporary, with one eyewitness telling the ECHO about the chaotic scenes as security guards turned away customers. The person previously told the ECHO: "As I was leaving the security guard stopped a man he believed to be a teenager and told him they weren't allowing people under 18 into the restaurant after 5pm without an adult with them.
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"The man told the security guard he was in his 20s so he apologised and explained that the new company policy meant he couldn't let groups of teens in on their own. "I was in town the night before and there were large groups of kids all over Liverpool One and they were moved on a number of times by security near the cinema and in Chavasse Park."
ECHO readers largely supported the chain restaurant's decision to ban unaccompanied youths from one of its city centre branches.
Sarah Parkinson said: "Good. What the staff have to deal with from kids, some no older than 11 or 12 is shocking. Police must be fed up of getting called out all the time to kids who are left to their own devices."
Jen Morgan also agreed with the ban. She added: "It's sad they've had to do this but it's right. The anti-social behaviour is an absolute nightmare."
Kellie Belfield pointed to some of her own experiences working at McDonald's as she also supported the ban. She said: "Good, I worked in 'Maccies' and the trouble caused by kids was awful. Throwing food everywhere, smashing windows, threatening staff, chucking sauce everywhere, blocking the toilets. The list goes on and on."
Some readers were a little more sympathetic, saying although they supported the ban, it was sad all children were being punished for the actions of others. Jackie Buckley said: "Well those causing the problems only have themselves to blame.
"The unfair part is the young people who don't cause any problems. They are now unable to meet up with friends there. I don't blame management for doing it. Why should the staff be subjected to physical and verbal abuse just for doing their job?"
Cathy Rutherford added: "While I understand where they are coming from, not all children are bad kids. I have a 16-year-old who has a job and he loves McDonald's. Now he won't be able to call in after work to get food because of the behaviour of others."
A McDonald's spokesperson said: "Over recent weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area with our people being subjected to verbal and physical abuse. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour, and have temporarily restricted restaurant access to U18s from 5pm.
"This decision was not taken lightly and we are working closely with the police to find a resolution and help reduce these incidents."
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