Hangout spots can be something of a rarity in modern British towns and cities. Known as ‘third places’, they refer to spaces where you and friends can hang out comfortably, catch up, and ideally not spend too much money.
Public spaces where you can rock up with a laptop and get on with some work would also fall into this bracket – essentially, it’s about having somewhere calm to sit.
Coffee shops and pubs make up the bulk of these spaces, but McDonald’s has long been a post-school hangout spot for the UK’s youngsters.
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Expanding on that reputation, and perhaps to offer older customers a little seclusion from boisterous teens, one McDonald’s branch in the UK has introduced a ‘quiet business areas’ for over 16s.
According to The Sun, Whitefield McDonald’s in Greater Manchester, has sectioned off part of its branch as an adult workspace.
This new 'quiet area' is only available, currently, in this franchise, and the workspace can also be booked out for business meetings.
“On weekdays this area is reserved for business/laptop users and adults over 16,” says a notice in the outlet.
“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.”
This is not a company-wide initiative McDonald’s is implementing. But if successful, who knows, it could become an interesting proof of concept that other franchisees could look to emulate down the line.
Simon Toft, who owns and operates the Whitefield restaurant, told FOODBible: "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. 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. 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."
Rachael Davis