‘Barricaded’: McDonald’s installs plexiglass protection at Newcastle store over staff safety concerns

Fast-food behemoth McDonald’s has installed a new plexiglass screen to protect employees from abuse and poor behaviour at a notorious city restaurant.

A photo posted to social media platform Reddit shows the barrier put up at the King St store in Newcastle, about two hours north of Sydney.

The move follows years of horror stories of drunkenness and poor behaviour at the popular 24-hour eatery, located in the heart of the industrial city.

The glass shield covers the service counter where workers take orders and deliver meals.

“King St Maccas is now barricaded,” the user who posted the photo said.

In a statement, the company said ensuring its restaurants were safe, welcoming places for its employees and customers was a “top priority”.

“We regularly review and proactively implement new safety and security measures as needed, to ensure our restaurants are spaces that our people and the community can enjoy.”

Horror stories of poor and aggressive behaviour have dogged the restaurant for years.

“I moved away from Newcastle for a while and when I came back, I decided to give King Street Maccas a try, for old time’s sake,” a Reddit user said.

“First thing I saw when I walked in was a couple of cops conducting a police interview with someone over a few quarter pounders.”

A video posted to the Driftwood TikTok channel in January this year showed the restaurant in an appalling state.

Litter, half-eaten food and spilled coke washed over the tables and floor, while two men slept on the store’s lounges.