'I felt embarrassed after being told I needed ID to get into McDonald's'
A teenager was left feeling “embarrassed” when door staff at a McDonald’s stopped her and a friend from enjoying a post-cinema meal as they did not have any ID.
Holly Munoz had gone to the restaurant in Cramlington, Northumberland, after 4pm on Wednesday, after a visit to the cinema.
The restaurant currently has a "temporary" policy restricting access to under-18s without a parent or guardian in place due to reported anti-social behaviour.
As neither of the 18-year-olds had ID, they were turned away by “aggressive” door staff and went home without tea.
She returned half an hour later with her father Julian where door staff denied seeing their daughter earlier.
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The sign on the door at McDonald's in Cramlington (Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)Holly told ChronicleLive: "It's embarrassing when you are just going to get food and they don't let you in.
“We had just been to the cinema. We're quite independent, we do everything ourselves. And I just think when McDonald's says it's for everyone, this is bad for the brand.
"It was upsetting. To turn away people just because they are young."
Julian added: "I do understand we have a huge problem with anti-social behaviour - as does much of the North East.
“But for some reason the security they have on the door is like if you were going out in Newcastle.
"My daughter went to the cinema, and then following that, she walked over the road to get some tea.
“She was confronted at the front door and asked for ID. Surely that's got nothing to do with security.
“I'd understand more if it was a big group of kids but it wasn't.”
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: "The safety and security of our people and our customers is our utmost priority, and our Cramlington restaurant has introduced various measures to help mitigate the challenges of anti-social behaviour affecting the wider area.
"These include employing security guards and making the decision to temporarily restrict restaurant access to under-18s who are unaccompanied after 4pm.
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“We continue to work closely with Northumbria Police to understand how we can be part of the solution."
Last week it was reported a bride spent more than £500 on McDonald's for her wedding guests instead of having catering.
Izzy Barreto, who tied the knot with husband Justin, surprised their friends and family with the giant order to end the evening.
The fast food feast included 100 double cheeseburgers, 100 pieces of junior chicken and 150 fries and cost $1,000, which is around £596.
The couple, both 32, pre-ordered the monster meal from Uber Eats ahead of the big day.
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