Among Bolton's many claims to fame is that it was home to the UK's first drive-through takeaway.
The first McDonald's 'drive-thru' was created in 1975 in Arizona, USA, although the concept can dates back to the 1920s.
The first time people in the UK drove up to a fast food outlet, rolled down their windows, placed an order and drove away with it in minutes though was here in Bolton, at Henrys.
Henrys opened its doors in November 1980 on Derby Street, long before McDonald's came along on the same road.
Did you know that the country's first ever fast food drive-through was in Bolton? 🤔
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) September 27, 2022
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
Henrys 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 on burgers and banana shakes.
In the BBC package 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. Fish if you want it, but statutory sever 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.
“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”.
A fee of £1.99 is paid by Tommy Tucker who “drives for his supper” of 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 won salt and vinegar, they come in plastic sachets,” Mr Redhead ends by saying.
How many of these Bolton restaurants do you remember?
Back in 2016, The Bolton News published a nostalgia piece remembering eateries in the borough from years gone by.
@TheBoltonNews Mother Hubbards, Henry's, China Gardens, Cafe Vienna, The Bobbin, Whittakers Cafe.
— Paddy McGuinness 💙 (@PaddyMcGuinness) February 18, 2016
👍🏼
Bolton-born comedian Paddy McGuinness listed Henrys as one of those he used to frequent, along with Mother Hubbards, China Gardens, Cafe Vienna, The Bobbin, and Whittakers Cafe.
Henrys was also the first restaurant in the UK to introduce a braille menu, so people with visual impairments could order too.
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