A massive fast-food chain has closed one of its UK restaurants, prompting locals to share their disappointment. The restaurant was the only one operated by the burger chain in the town, meaning locals will have to say goodbye to this option for the foreseeable future. Burger King, which had been a staple of Market Gates Shopping Centre in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, for years, has closed its doors for the last time.
The closure follows Market Gates being put up for sale towards the end of 2024. The closure had been suspected for a few weeks, as local media reported that staff were told earlier in the month that the last trading day would be February 22. The shopping centre has seen a slew of closures over the last 10 years, including Debenhams in 2019 and Wilko later down the line.
Burger King first arrived in the UK in 1976 when it opened on Coventry Street in London’s West End. It now has more than 500 restaurants across the country and is found in most major cities in Britain.
Locals from Great Yarmouth took to social media to share their disappointment over Burger King’s closure. One person wrote on Facebook: “I’ll miss it for sure. Had one of the most surprising views too.”
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Another said: “Oh no, we like going there once a month, good quality burgers.” A third wrote: “Another nail in the coffin for Yarmouth.”
The closest Burger King for Great Yarmouth residents is now Caister, which is around 3.8 miles away.
Burger King was founded in the US but quickly expanded across the globe, much like its competitor McDonald’s did. According to the latest data available, Burger King has more than 19,000 restaurants worldwide, operating in over 125 countries.
On a global level, it is the ninth largest fast food chain, falling behind the likes of McDonald’s, Starbucks, KFC and Subway.