When Bolton went all-American with the first drive-through in the UK
Starting out as the preserve of burger chains, the UK is now full of businesses where you can be served without leaving your car.
It is used by coffee chains like Costa and Starbucks, street food such as Chaiiwala and even posh bakery chain Gail's is looking at opening drive-throughs for those who need their sourdough pronto.
But there was a time when this was not the case.
Henrys, the first drive-through in the country, before its opening. Taken in October 1980 (Image: Newsquest) The very first drive-through in the country was only established in 1980, in our very own Bolton.
Henrys opened its doors in November of that year on Derby Street, long before McDonald's came along on the same road.
The restaurant was known for its fish and chips and pies, but its American diner decor was matched by its menu, and customers could also indulge themselves in burgers and banana shakes.
It was featured in a BBC package in 1981, exploring the alien concept of drive-throughs.
Did you know that the country's first ever fast food drive-through was in Bolton? 🤔 It was called Henrys and was featured on an episode of the BBC1 programme Home Front in 1981. We're looking back at the film as part of our Rewind series, celebrating 100 years of the BBC. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9PlVTsdCAT
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) September 27, 2022
In the piece by legendary TV reporter Brian Redhead, drivers are also shown to be given a branded Henrys car sticker.
Mr Redhead says: 'A Henrys automated chippery on Bolton's busy Derby Street, technology has added several brand new dimension to the noble bag of fish and chips.
Read more: UK's first drive-thru opened in Bolton - serving up fish and chips
Read more: Wanderers Burnden Park ground pictured covered in adverts!
Read more: Bolton Market Place photos show shopping centre just after opening
"Fish if you want it, but statutory seven ounce portions of chips with everything, from peas and pies to burgers and banana shakes.
'At the North West's first drive-in chip shop it's simply a matter of placing your order at one window and steering a steady course to another while it's being rapidly dispensed.
Henry's dining room, November 1980 (Image: Newsquest) 'Then all you have to do is pay.'
A fee of £1.99 is exchanged for one Henrys burger, chips and mushy peas, and one portion of fish and chips, accompanied by a 'shake'.
'You don't even have to shake your own salt and vinegar, they come in plastic sachets,' Mr Redhead ends by saying.
Henrys was also the first restaurant in the UK to introduce a braille menu, so people with visual impairments could order too.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Newsweek
NASCAR 25 Reveals Career Mode and Gameplay Ahead of Release
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NASCAR 25 released new details about the game's mechanics within its modes, ranging from career mode to online multiplayer. The new game is based on the American race car series and features development from Monster Games, who are working with and using some of the assets from iRacing - the world-renowned racing simulator. In Episode 5 of the Developer Diary, the studio released reactions from famous drivers across the series, with a focus on what it is like being in the driver's seat. The video also showcased some gameplay for the first time, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect in terms of visuals and performance. Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 McDonald's Toyota, and William Byron, driver of the #24 Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 19,... Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 McDonald's Toyota, and William Byron, driver of the #24 Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 19, 2024 in Brooklyn, Michigan. More Photo byIt was revealed that the game will feature the Cup series, Xfinity series, Craftsman Truck, and ARCA Menards, all of which can be played in the Career Mode. Career Mode will allow players to create their drivers and cars while managing contracts, facilities, and staff as the team tries to make its way into contention. NASCAR will get its first video game in years, marking a key return for fans of the racing series. The game got announced back in 2023, when iRacing bought the exclusive license to develop a NASCAR simulator. iRacing President Tony Gardner shared his excitement for the partnership. "When we were approached with the option to acquire the license for the simulation-style NASCAR console game, which was the console game and franchise that we were dreaming about doing, it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up," Gardner announced in a press release. "Having the ability to build a NASCAR console game is a privilege we promise to execute with the utmost care. We look forward to working diligently with NASCAR industry stakeholders to deliver a product that provides an amazing experience for the gaming community and NASCAR fans worldwide. "With all the NASCAR game experience, console experience, resources and technology assets we already have in place, we are in a fantastic position to hit the ground running building a great NASCAR game franchise on the various platforms." Over the coming months, the game developers should show off more of the game's mechanics. Given iRacing's reputation, NASCAR 25 may give players the closest thing to getting in the cockpit of an American stock car. For more NASCAR news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Newsweek
Sergio Perez's Latest Move Sparks Talk of Imminent F1 Comeback
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Sergio Perez's latest move suggests he is planning a racing return. Despite being away from full-time racing, Perez's former physiotherapist Xavi Martos has revealed a change in the Mexican driver's management, which hints at his preparation for an F1 return next year. Perez has been linked to the Cadillac F1 team, which is preparing for its premier class debut next year as the sport's eleventh team. The American outfit reportedly prefers experienced drivers in its initial years, although it has had talks with young drivers in recent months. Martos, who trained Perez during his Red Bull days, said that Perez has parted ways with his former manager, Julian Jakobi, to sign a new one. Martos raised a significant question: Why would a driver who is not active in racing hire a new manager? Suggesting that key developments have been taking place for Perez on the professional front, he said on the Duralavita podcast: "I think people haven't noticed. I watched as a spectator and people have never said it. Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on December 1, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on December 1, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar."Checo has a new manager - I don't know if you've read it. He had Julian [Jakobi], now he has another one. "I wonder: Why does he have a new manager?" He added: "I think that answers everything. If you don't want to stop driving, you don't hire a new manager. At least, that wouldn't occur to me." Planet F1 reported Perez's quotes from the Desde el Paddock podcast from June, where he confirmed hiring Khalil Beschir, a former racing driver, as his manager. He said: "I want to go back because I don't want to end my career like this. I'll go back if it's worth paying the price to be in F1." According to F1 presenter Lawrence Barretto, Perez and Bottas have been shortlisted by Cadillac as its drivers for the 2026 season, and only the paperwork remains pending before an announcement is made. Newsweek Sports reported his comments: "Bottas has obviously been linked with Alpine. But actually, I think the most likely landing spot for him is Cadillac, and we haven't talked about them yet. "But I hear that they haven't got any contracts done — not even any head of terms — but Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are the two drivers that they want at that team, and it's just a case of them going through the motions of it. "So it might be some time until we find that out, and obviously, there is still some time that that could change. But that's where we're looking, I think."
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Car companies are paying tariffs so you don't have to
'We haven't raised prices due to tariffs, and that's still our mantra,' Randy Parker, chief executive of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America, said in an interview this month. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up That is good news for Trump and Republicans in Congress because it insulates them from the political consequences of higher sticker prices, which would also contribute to inflation. Advertisement Carmakers 'will try to hold prices and focus on cost reduction for as long as they can,' said Lenny LaRocca, a partner at KPMG who leads the consulting firm's work with the auto industry. But, LaRocca said, 'clearly it's not sustainable.' He predicted that automakers would start raising prices significantly early next year. No car company is immune. Even those that make most of their vehicles in the United States use imported parts that can amount to more than half the value of some cars. In recent weeks General Motors, Toyota, Ford Motor, Stellantis, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have all blamed tariffs for declines in profit. Advertisement Ford, which makes most of its cars in the United States, expects retail prices for its vehicles to rise just 1% this year, Sherry House, the chief financial officer, said last month during a conference call with reporters. Mercedes-Benz vehicles at the Port of Baltimore, where new vehicle imports are processed before distribution to dealerships. Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press But that's not because the tariffs aren't having an effect. Import duties subtracted $800 million from Ford's profit in the second quarter, leading to a slight loss for the period. For the whole year, Ford estimated that tariffs would cost the company $2 billion. General Motors, the largest U.S. carmaker, said last month that tariffs would cost the company as much as $5 billion for the full year, although it hoped to offset about a third of that amount by cutting costs and moving some manufacturing to the United States. Still, the company expects retail prices to rise 1% or less this year, Paul Jacobson, chief financial officer of GM, told investors last month. Toyota, which makes many cars in the United States but also imports them from Japan, Mexico and Canada, said Thursday that tariffs would cost it $9.5 billion. A day earlier, Honda pegged its tariff cost at $3 billion. Tariffs and sinking profits could make it harder for carmakers to do what Trump wants them to do -- relocate assembly lines to the United States from other countries. Companies will have less money to invest in new factories and equipment. The Trump administration maintains that deregulation, tax deductions for equipment purchasing and other measures will be positive for the industry. Advertisement 'Two things can be accomplished at once: We can lower costs for everyday Americans while restoring American auto dominance,' Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, said in an email. 'The administration is working closely with the auto industry to deliver on both fronts.' Car prices as measured by U.S. officials declined slightly in June, Desai pointed out, 'despite months of autos, auto parts, steel and aluminum tariffs being in place.' Workers gave final inspections to vehicles at a General Motors plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. BRETT CARLSEN/NYT Others see signs that prices are beginning to creep higher. Cox Automotive estimates that tariffs will add at least $5,000 to the cost of imported cars on an annual basis. Even for cars manufactured in the United States, tariffs on components add about $1,000, not including the 50% duties that Trump has imposed on imported steel and aluminum. By the end of the year, prices could be 8% higher, Cox says, pushing the average selling price of a new car above $50,000. Higher prices would fall hardest on less affluent consumers. Many of the least expensive cars are imported, like the Chevrolet Trax made in South Korea or the Nissan Versa made in Mexico. Some car buyers will be able to afford only used models. And higher demand for pre-owned vehicles will push up their prices, too. Adding to the pain, buyers of used cars often pay much higher interest on loans, which can exceed 20% for people with less-than-stellar credit records. The cost of repairs and parts will also rise. So far the price increases have been modest, said Michael Holmes, co-chief executive of Virginia Tire and Auto. The chain of auto repair and maintenance shops adds a tariff surcharge to prices to reflect the additional cost. That can range from 50 cents or so for an air filter to around $5 for a tire. Advertisement But the surcharges could rise depending on where tariffs on parts from Mexico and Canada end up, he said. His biggest problem, Holmes said, is staying abreast of shifting trade policy. 'You get exhausted trying to figure out where all these tariffs are,' he said. Trump policies have some financial benefits for carmakers. The Republican domestic policy bill passed last month eliminated penalties for violating clean air standards. That angered environmental groups but allows carmakers to build more big SUVs and pickups, which tend to have the highest profit margins. The end of those penalties has also freed established carmakers from having to buy clean air credits if they fall short of emissions targets. That will save GM and others hundreds of millions of dollars, but comes at the expense of companies that have lots of credits to sell, like Tesla and Rivian, because they make only electric vehicles that emit nothing from tailpipes. Car executives are hopeful that the Trump administration will take further steps to ease the impact of tariffs. 'We're having very constructive conversations with them to ensure a more level playing field,' House, the Ford chief financial officer, told reporters this month. But Trump continues to threaten substantial tariffs on Mexico and Canada and has yet to reach a permanent trade deal with either. Both countries are critical suppliers of vehicles and parts and are important destinations for parts and vehicles made in the United States. The policy bill also contained a measure designed to stimulate demand for cars. The provision lets taxpayers deduct from their taxes the interest they pay on loans used to buy cars assembled in the United States. But the value of the deduction will be relatively small, in the hundreds of dollars for most people. Advertisement 'We don't think it's really going to drive demand,' said Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive. This article originally appeared in
