Preston turns out in force as KFC celebrates 60 years in the UK

Crowds packed Preston’s Flag Market yesterday as KFC celebrated its 60th anniversary in the UK and Ireland in the home of its very first restaurant.

The one-day pop up featured an immersive KFC museum and secret cinema, allowing visitors to dive into the days of KFC gone by and experience 60 years of the nation’s favourite chicken.

With bucket list bangers provided by Preston locals Red Rose Radio throughout the day, visitors also had the chance to test their luck on prize cranes and the prize wheel for KFC discount vouchers Chicken Cheques, exclusive KFC merchandise, and a £1000 holiday voucher.

The exclusive collaboration with fellow Lanc locals SpudBros also proved the day’s hottest ticket, with all free jacket potatoes, including 400 of the limited-edition Colonel Spud loaded with popcorn chicken and supercharger sauce, claimed within 4 hours.   

KFC introduced its secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices when it opened its very first restaurant in the UK on Preston Fishergate in 1965 and now serves 14 million customers a week across more than 1,000 restaurants in the UK and Ireland, employing 30,000 people.

Roz Eccles, assistant manager for the original KFC restaurant at Fishergate, Preston said: “We were thrilled to be able to celebrate KFC’s 60th anniversary here at Fishergate, where it all started back in 1965.

"Having worked at the store for 30 years, and living in Preston all my life, I’ve seen firsthand how much our community and customers have always remained at the heart of everything we do.  That’s why it is brilliant to be able to share our celebrations with the people of Preston, as thank you for their continued support.”

Jenny Packwood, chief corporate affairs officer at KFC Pan-Europe and UK & Ireland, said: “Seeing the whole Preston community come together to celebrate 60 years of KFC has been amazing. It is such a privilege to be able to say thank you to the City for making KFC what it is today, and to celebrate with SpudBros. We’re looking forward to marking many more milestones in the next 60!”

Gary Jackson, original KFC Preston customer, said: "On the day Mr Allen opened the first KFC on Preston Fishergate in May 1965, my grandmother worked at the Wimpy Bar next door which meant I was one of the first people to try fried chicken in the UK, I can still remember that first bite!"

Coun Sue Whittam, mayor of Preston City Council, said: “It was great to celebrate KFC’s anniversary of their first ever restaurant in the UK and Ireland, which opened 60 years ago here in Preston. They’ve had a real impact within the community over the last six decades, and I hope they’re able to thrive for many more years to come!”