09-03-2025
When Bolton went all-American with the first drive-through in the UK
Today you will find drive-throughs in every town in the country.
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. ⬇️
— 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.
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"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.
