THIS was the futuristic flying saucer McDonald’s with robot rides and a «nightmare» drive-thru.
The legendary Maccies branch, in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, was a hit with families and tourists passing through, attracting hungry Brits with its very unusual UFO theme.
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After serving up Happy Meals and smiles for seven years, the space ship McDonald’s sadly said goodbye to customers in 2000 before being demolished completely eight years later.
David Meridith, a maintenance man at the bizarre venue, revealed some inside secrets about the iconic branch.
The 41-year-old told Cambridgeshire Live how the fast-food chain was already using technology as part of innovating the ordering system.
«You ordered on a computer at your table and waited for your food to come,» he explained.
Former customers have even recalled «robot rides» inside the fast food attraction.
David described the ultra modern looking eatery as a hit with kids, tourists and even army personnel based at the US Airforce Alconbury base.
«Some people turned off just to have a look,» he added.
«It was always packed. People struggled to get seating. It was too busy on Saturday and Sunday.»
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But, this proved to be a problem for their ill-equipped drive-thru.
The tiny car park sparked traffic chaos as it forced hungry visitors to queue up on the main A604 road.
David explained how he would often have to turn people away on the weekends while he was on «traffic control».
«When they put the drive-thru in I don’t know what they were thinking,» continued the baffled former employee.
Inside, there were several more issues to battle, such as high noise levels and dingy lighting.
David said a combination of «no windows» and raised lighting resulted in a «dark and gloomy» atmosphere.
A customer who ventured inside the legendary space ship McDonald’s agreed with David and commented: «I ate in this once about ten years ago. It had absolutely no atmosphere.
«It was like eating a McDonald’s in a fibreglass septic tank.»
Meanwhile, sound buffers installed to reduced echos failed to do the job – especially when «boisterous» kids’ parties invaded the space.
Eventually, the branch was forced to closed its doors after a plummet in sales and competition from a rival Maccies nearby opening.
David also admitted the building required extensive upkeep and the futuristic design didn’t help.
«The outside was just a plastic shell and it started getting leaks,» he continued.
«It was impossible to keep it in working order.»
However, many former costumers were heartbroken to hear about their beloved branch’s demise and flooded the comment section with praise.
«Ahhh such memories of this place. I used to love going there as a kid,» wrote one.
«I loved it all from the pulsating lights in the entrance to the robot rides and well wow.»
Another explained how the «UFO» was there for many of life’s ups and downs.
«That UFO was a constant in my life,» they said.
«Started my 21st birthday night in there, my car broke down in the car park several times, ended up having lunch there quite a lot because I worked just down the road.
«Last thing I did when I left Huntingdon to move north was have a UFO Big Mac.»
Someone else believed it was the first McDonald’s they’d ever been to.
«I remember more of how much it reminded me of Pizza Planet from the first Toy Story film which was in the cinemas at the same time,» wrote another.
«Shame it met it’s untimely demise, it was quite magical as a kid. Probably quite grim if you were an adult though my dad never let on.»
This comes as 10 of the weirdest McDonald’s locations around the world have been revealed.
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As well as, Europe’s craziest Maccies – where the building is made of wool and they serve the biggest portion of chips ever.
Plus, people are only just realising you can get a birthday cake from McDonalds – here’s how.
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