Carriage driver told to ‘burger off’ by McDonalds
A carriage driver was refused service at a drive-thru McDonalds on Saturday by staff citing health and safety concerns.
Debbie Murden, 42, was turned away from the fast-food restaurant in Alfreton, Derbyshire, on Saturday 21 May, so trotted down the road to another fast-food chain.
Ms Murden, from nearby Pinxton, said she often took her Welsh Cob and carriage to other restaurants, and had been served by the same McDonald’s just a few weeks before.
But a spokesman for the branch told a local newspaper: “We’re very sorry to have disappointed Ms Debbie Murden and for any confusion caused.
“Our drive-thru lanes are custom built for motor cars, vans and trucks.
“They are extremely busy serving a large number of customers every hour, therefore our concern in this instance would be the safety of both the horse and the customer.
“We will ensure this policy is reiterated to our employees so any inconsistency is avoided.”
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Ms Murden told the newspaper: “There is no reason why it would be dangerous and I’ve never been refused before.
“We often stop off at pubs and leave the horse in the car park, it’s usually no bother whatsoever, and is mostly a good talking point.”
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.