http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2393095/McDonalds-Stockport-starts-playing-classical-music-late-night-try-stop-drunken-fights.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
I'll have a McMozart and fries please: Branch of McDonald's starts
playing classical music late at night to try and stop drunken fights
* Fast-food chain turns to Beethoven and Brahms to curb violence
* Drunken yobbery is soaring in Stockport following late-night drinking
* The classical method has been tried and tested by the council before
By Stuart Woledge
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Stuart+Woledge>
*PUBLISHED:* 15:36 GMT, 14 August 2013 | *UPDATED:* 15:46 GMT, 14 August
2013
*
Fast-food chain McDonald's has started playing classical music in an
attempt to pacify late night customers and stop drunken fights breaking
out on its premises.
Yobbish behaviour has soared in Stockport town centre including in the
area around McDonald's Grand Central restaurant.
To help tackle the escalating problem, the outlet hopes playing
classical music from Brahms to Beethoven will have a soothing effect on
revellers, who have spilled out of the nearby clubs and pubs and are
looking for something to help soak up the alcohol.
Stockport council has used the tactic before.
Two years ago classical music was piped into an alleyway near Councillor
Lane in Cheadle to try and disperse nuisance youths.
But it is the first time it has been used inside a business.
Cllr Philip Harding said: 'The idea is they (yobs) would disperse as
it's not their scene. I believed it was successful but it's a bit of a
different suggestion inside a business.
'I like classical music but I'm not sure the patrons of McDonald's do.'
McDonald's has already tried to tackle antisocial behaviour problems by
joining a neighbourhood crime fighting team run by local police.
Stockport Business Watch Exclusion has around 70 members and crimes
committed against one can lead to a banning order covering all.
Police have also sent letters home to the parents of antisocial
youngsters caught misbehaving at the burger chain.
A McDonald's spokesman said: 'Our first priority is to ensure that our
restaurants are safe and welcoming environments for both customers and
staff, so we take antisocial behaviour very seriously.
'We work closely with police to prevent incidents and where necessary
exclude those who repeatedly cause a nuisance.
'We have also held meetings with young people and parents to encourage
good behaviour.'
A council spokesman said: 'The classical music clearly differentiates
between the nightclub atmosphere that some customers have just left and
the more serene family restaurant that McDonald's aims to provide.'
Put a breathalyser unit at the entrance. Everyone who wants to enter has
to give a sample. If they're over the limit, a burly bodyguard denies
them their Big Mac and Fries. If they're under the limit, they're thrown
out anyway for being stupid enough to want McDonald's while sober.
- The Voice of Sanity
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/registration/1367759151356963/The-Voice-of-Sanity/profile.html>
, London, United Kingdom, 14/8/2013 21:18
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