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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

McDonald's brings in bizarre new rules to keep customers calm after 5pm and stop yobs

Bosses of a McDonald’s restaurant fed up with issues from troublemakers has turned to a bizarre tactic to ease tensions.

The branch in Wrexham, north Wales, plays bursts of Beethoven to calm people after recent clashes with yobs visiting the fast food chain.

As a result anyone buying meals after 5pm will be met with classical music.

Another measure introduced is having the Wi-Fi switched off during the evening to deter people from gathering inside and causing trouble for patrons, the Sun reported.

Police Inspector Luke Hughes said: “Unless we have some local and unruly Beethoven enthusiasts, it should discourage some issues.”

Patrons will enjoy the music by Ludwig van Beethoven (Heritage Images/Getty Images)

The chain has tested the effects of classical music in the past and played it inside some of their restaurants - finding that it has a "calming effect".

It hopes that the soothing music, which ranges from full orchestral pieces to solo piano compositions, will quell disorder and keep trouble at a minimum.

McDonald's previously said of its unusual tactic: "We have tested the effects of classical music in the past and played it in some of our restaurants as it encourages more acceptable behaviour.

"Typically, classical music would be played from early evening onwards and, in some cases, on certain nights in a small number of restaurants.”

Wi-Fi at the restaurant will also be switched off (Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)

Glasgow was the first city reported to play classical music in a bid to calm rowdy punters.

A branch in Stockport, Greater Manchester, also used the tactic following a spate of yobbish behaviour

Another tactic used by McDonald's in Wales in 2020 included banning children from the restaurant after a spate of violent behaviour.

Youngsters were not able to scoff their Big Macs inside unless accompanied by an adult.

They were also escorted out by bouncers after being handed their grub.

The burger restaurant in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, was forced to take extreme measures after police repeatedly had to be called in.

The fast food franchise in the Welsh town slapped the ban on youths after 5pm, in response to an array of brawls in McDonald's across the area.

McDonald's said anti-social behaviour issues were affecting the wider area - not just the Ebbw Vale restaurant- and it was working with local police on measures to address it.

A sign by the door reads: "Due to an increase in anti-social behaviour incidents over recent weeks, between the hours of 5pm and 10pm, no groups of youths unaccompanied by an adult will be permitted to stay in the restaurant.

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