Preston has a few claims to fame and to be honest some are more noteworthy than others. This week’s picture relates to one of those ‘Factoids’ as Steve Wright calls them on his radio show. A useless bit of information that you’ll find yourself dropping into conversation at some point, I can guarantee it!
You’ll have to go back to the swinging sixties for this gem. It 1965 and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant (may be overstating it a bit) was opening in the UK. Not in London or in the home of the Beatles, Liverpool but you guessed it, in Preston. The location – 92 Fishergate to be precise. The outlet opened its doors for the first time in May of that year and the rest as they say is history, but not an entirely smooth history according to reports. Ray Allen who opened the franchise grew the business significantly in the UK before abandoning the KFC chain to start his own rival – ‘Allen’s Fried Chicken’. I think it’s fair to say that Allen’s hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success as that of the famous Colonel Sanders’ chain.
You can’t deny that Mr Allen was visionary though. KFC arrived here years ahead of rival fast food chain McDonalds and today there are over 800 Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in the UK. I’ve got to admit it’s been a while since I last ate at a KFC but I reckon after this free plug, I should be on for a couple of extra pieces of chicken in my bargain bucket next time I visit!
The picture shows the newest KFC in Preston down by the docks.
Photo: Fuji x100, 1/80 f2 ISO2000
Photo by Paul Melling Photography