Protest closes city McDonald’s

The McDonald’s restaurant in Ryhope has been forced to close after animal rights activists blocked access to four distribution centres across the UK.

Animal Rebellion used vehicles and bamboo structures to prevent lorries from leaving depots in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry and Heywood in Greater Manchester on Saturday, May 22.

The group was demanding McDonald’s commit to becoming fully plant-based by 2025 and said the action aimed to call out the animal agriculture industry for its part in the global climate crisis.

It is understood that the protests have now ended – with police arresting 14 people across the country – however disruption to the distribution remains.

It has caused the McDonald’s restaurant, on Ryhope Road in Sunderland, to temporarily close yesterday, until the stock has been replenished.

A notice on the restaurant said: “Due to animal protesters blockading our distribution centres, we have been unable to receive deliveries.

"Until this situation is resolved and we receive our required stock, the restaurant has no alternative but to close.

"We apologise to our customers for the disruption caused by these protests and hope to resume normal services as soon as possible.”

McDonald’s has apologised to customers for “any disappointment caused” due to blockades by animal rights protesters at four of the fast food chain’s UK distribution centres.

A McDonald’s UK spokesperson commented: “Our distribution centres have reopened and are now back to delivering to our restaurants.”