News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

McDonald's has started playing classical music in a branch notorious for bad behaviour in a bid to calm troublemakers.

Police have been called to the fast-food branch in Glasgow's Argyle Street a whopping 200 times in just 14 months - sparking calls for a crackdown on rowdy customers.

Bosses at the restaurant, which is Scotland's busiest branch, have drafted in Beethoven, Bach and Handel for help, the Daily Record reported.

(Image: Daily Record)

Compositions - ranging from full orchestral to solo piano pieces - are pumped out of speakers to encourage calm behaviour.

One customer said: “I’ve been a regular at this McDonald's for years and it has always been quite lively.

“In the past few years, things seemed to have just got out of hand a little. It’s often more about the large numbers of people hanging about outside rather than those inside.

“But you see some sights there – and late at night it goes to another level.

(Image: Getty)

“We heard classical music being played the other night and it was actually quite pleasant.

“It’s better than the kind of rave music we’ve heard before so I think they may be on to something.”

The restaurant opens from 5am to 3am from Sunday to Thursday and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.

It was reported in February that police complained to council bosses over the outlet, claiming it was a drain on resources and that they had to regularly patrol the area after recording hundreds of incidents in the previous year.

McDonald’s were ordered to employ stewards at the branch last June and there has been a huge drop in crime-related incidents on the premises since.

The company appealed the decision in February but it was upheld.

The council ruled the branch must employ four security staff on Friday and Saturday nights and one each day between Sunday and Thursday.

Police regularly patrol the area and two officers on horseback were spotted outside the restaurant on Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland, Police Scotland’s Glasgow city centre commander, said: “The areas of Jamaica Street, Argyle Street and Union Street are extremely busy.

“Officers will continue to provide a high-visibility police presence in the area in order to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.”

McDonald’s branches have successfully used classical music to calm rowdy patrons before.

A branch in Stockport, Greater Manchester, used the tactic two years ago following a spate of yobbish behaviour.

McDonald’s said: “Based on the advice of our security team, classical music is used by some restaurants as it encourages calm behaviour.

“Typically, classical music is used from early evening onwards.”