A massive fast-food chain has closed one of its UK restaurants, prompting locals to share their disappointment. The restaurant was the only one operated by the burger chain in the town, meaning locals will have to say goodbye to this option for the foreseeable future. Burger King, which had been a staple of Market Gates Shopping Centre in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, for years, has closed its doors for the last time.

The closure follows Market Gates being put up for sale towards the end of 2024. The closure had been suspected for a few weeks, as local media reported that staff were told earlier in the month that the last trading day would be February 22. The shopping centre has seen a slew of closures over the last 10 years, including Debenhams in 2019 and Wilko later down the line. 

Burger King first arrived in the UK in 1976 when it opened on Coventry Street in London’s West End. It now has more than 500 restaurants across the country and is found in most major cities in Britain. 

Locals from Great Yarmouth took to social media to share their disappointment over Burger King’s closure. One person wrote on Facebook: “I’ll miss it for sure. Had one of the most surprising views too.”

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Another said: “Oh no, we like going there once a month, good quality burgers.” A third wrote: “Another nail in the coffin for Yarmouth.”

The closest Burger King for Great Yarmouth residents is now Caister, which is around 3.8 miles away. 

Burger King was founded in the US but quickly expanded across the globe, much like its competitor McDonald’s did. According to the latest data available, Burger King has more than 19,000 restaurants worldwide, operating in over 125 countries. 

On a global level, it is the ninth largest fast food chain, falling behind the likes of McDonald’s, Starbucks, KFC and Subway.

A popular family-run attraction near a UK market town has shut after 55 years. Gooderstone Water Gardens, near Swaffham in Norfolk, was founded in 1970, and the current proprietors, Coral and Ernest Hoyos, inherited the site from Mrs Hoyos’ parents in 2003. The attraction, which includes a tearoom, gallery, eight-acre nature trail and a rustic roundhouse, will open its doors for the last time in early April, however, as its owners make plans to retire.

Mrs Hoyos said: “I love the gardens, they have been my life over the past 25 years. Ernest and I are both now in our 80s, and unfortunately, because of our age and my poor health, I have decided I must retire. For the past two years, we have tried to find an organisation to continue the upkeep but with no success.”

She added: “I would like to thank all gardeners, volunteers and visitors who have made it possible to have the gardens open all these years.

“I thank everyone for their kind remarks. It has been good to know that they have given so much pleasure.”

A number of visitors shared their sadness at the news, with many reflecting on happy memories from their trips to the site over its lifespan of more than five decades.

“It is such a unique little gem, so sad to see it close,” one wrote on Facebook. “I am amazed that the National Trust or local council don’t see the potential and are not willing to step in.”

“This is so sad to hear,” another said. “It’s such a tranquil oasis away from modern life where you can reflect and enjoy nature. I really hope someone can come forward to save it.”

“A wonderful, beautiful place,” a third added. “I was there the very first day it originally opened. The owners are amazing, they have struggled in their later years, well past retirement age, to keep it so lovely.

“I hope they have a wonderful retirement. It’s very sad no one or organisation has come forward to carry on running such a beautiful place.”