39 years of McDonald's in Liverpool as brand hits milestone in UK

It's now been half a century since McDonald’s opened its first branch in the UK. On November 13, 1974 - 50 years ago this week- the first UK restaurant opened in Woolwich, London.

Through the decades, McDonald's has seen a lot of change, but remained a place kids and adults alike go for a treat, tea out and even a Ronald McDonald birthday party. With the success of the chain, it might surprise some to know Liverpool didn't get its first McDonald's until over a decade later in 1985.

Since then we've seen dozens of branches operate across Merseyside. So to celebrate the milestone birthday, we've taken a look back at some of the burger giant's firsts in Liverpool.

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From its early start in the city to a former branch in Anfield stadium, these are bound to stir some memories. And many McDonald's fans will remember the brand as it was in these moments in time.

This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we've included a few big moments people will remember from McDonald's early days in the city. See more in our list below.

The city's first McDonald's

If you visit any city in the UK, you’re never too far away from a McDonald’s today. Nearly 40 years ago, the first opened in Liverpool - and it's still around today.

It all started on Lord Street in November 1985 when the new £1.4m city-centre restaurant opened its doors. Photos from our archives show what the restaurant used to look like outside, with the sign "McDonald's Hamburgers" on the front.

Shortly after it first opened, many will remember the restaurant was also the victim of a big burger hoax that saw hundreds of fake leaflets offering free food and drinks distributed around the city. The prank, which took place November 11, 1985, resulted in customers being refused free meals at the restaurant, with their fake pink leaflets that offered a "£2.40 freebie."

'Kop Meals' at Anfield Stadium

Opened in November 1995 as part of Liverpool Football Club's new Kop Grandstand complex, Anfield stadium's own McDonald's was believed to be Europe's first football ground burger bar. During matchdays, spectators could buy McDonald's meals across counters inside the stadium, with the restaurant being open outside to the general public on other days.

Older Liverpool fans will no doubt remember enjoying Big Macs, Happy Meals and even special 'Kop meals' that were sold at the venue, which was opened by players Steve McManaman and Jason McAteer. At one time a key part of a Red's matchday ritual, the McDonald's restaurant closed in 2003 due to insufficient profits.

At the time, spokesman Paul Nicholas said that while the outlet had been extremely busy on match days it had been very quiet on other days and the decision was taken to axe it.

Ronald McDonald House

Another big moment from the brand in the city came over 30 years ago when the second Ronald McDonald House opened at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Since 1993, Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey, also known as Mac House, has offered a free ‘home away from home’ for families with children who are patients at the hospital.

In April 1993, the ECHO reported how initial funding of £1m came from Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, the charitable arm of fast-food giants McDonald's Restaurants, with more cash raised by the ECHO-backed Alder Hey 75th birthday appeal. According to its website, Mac House has now tripled in size to become Europe’s largest Ronald McDonald House, helping thousands of families.

The team helps over 2,000 families per year from Merseyside and the North West, Cheshire, Lancashire, North Wales, Staffordshire and the Isle of Man. Last year, it was announced The Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey will undergo a multi-million pound refurbishment.