MCDONALD’S has confirmed it is bringing back an iconic burger that hasn’t been seen in the UK for almost a decade – and fans will be delighted.

Social media has been awash with rumours over the past few weeks that the much-loved McRib was making a shock comeback.

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And now, the fast food chain has revealed the legendary burger will indeed be back on sale in just days for the first time since early 2015.

The menu item will be available across UK restaurants from October 16, just over a week away, for a limited time only.

The burger, which combines a pork patty with tangy barbecue sauce, pickles and onions, will be on sale for £4.49 as an individual item or £6.19 as part of a medium extra value meal.

The burger itself contains 509 calories.

Customers have long begged for the McRib, which first launched in the UK in 1981, to return to menus after it was abruptly removed almost a decade ago.

Thomas O’Neill, head of menu at McDonald’s UK, said: “We have heard our fans loud and clear – the fan petitions and pleas on social – and after almost a decade of anticipation, we are thrilled to bring back this iconic menu item.

“Knowing how well-loved the McRib is, we had very little choice – we had to make it happen.”

It comes after a mystery message appeared on dozens of McDonald’s customers MyMcDonald’s apps with a glitch that appeared to signify the McRib was returning.

Fast food fans took to X and Facebook two weeks ago sharing images that showed “page not found” and “McRib Test Notification” error messages that had cropped up on their phones.

Posting on X, one said: ” “Ummm excuse me McDonald’s, we all saw it. THE MCRIB IS COMING BACK!”

Another commented: “McDonald’s thought they could sneak this one by and I wouldn’t notice. McRib coming to the UK.”

Another said “McDonald’s just let everyone in the UK know the McRib is coming back with a broken text notification”, to which a fellow fan replied: “This isn’t an accident, it’s a marketing ploy. Rather clever!”

OTHER MCDONALD’S MENU CHANGES

McDonald’s regularly shakes up its menu or introduces games to keep customers on their toes.

The fast food chain recently announced it is adding mini hashbrowns to menus for the first time.

Customers will be able to get the twist on a classic menu item across more than 1,300 UK restaurants from October 16 – the same date the McRib is being relaunched.

Foodies can pick up a five-pack for £1.49 while a 15-piece sharebox will cost £2.99.

Remember though that prices do vary from restaurant to restaurant so you could pay more or less than these prices.

It is not yet clear whether the hashbrowns will become a permanent menu item, so if you want to give them a go, make sure you’re quick.

Six menu items will also be removed later this month when the McDonald’s Monopoly game comes to a close.

These are the six items that customers will have to wave goodbye to:

• Philly Cheese Stack
• Chicken Big Mac
• Mozzarella Dippers
• Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry
• Twix Caramel McFlurry
• Twix Latte

If you are curious about how the game works and what prizes you can win, read our article here. 

It is worth bearing in mind that McDonald’s regularly updates its menu,  so it is always worth reading updates online to avoid missing out.

The chain regularly posts on social media informing customers of any upcoming changes.

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A DISCOUNT clothing chain store is set to close down despite 160 objections.

An Original Factory Shop in Ben Rhydding will close down on October 19, to make way for a controversial new development.

A drive thru coffee shop will instead be built on the corner of the A65 and Wheatley lane, after it was approved in August.

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The move has been criticised by locals, with more than with more than 160 people writing to Bradford Council urging the plans be refused, according to The Telegraph and Argus.

A further 61 people signing a petition against the application, which was submitted by The EG Group Ltd and Burley Developments Ltd.

It is currently not known which change will be moving on to the site, however EG Group, founded by the billionaire Issa brothers, operates other sites that include Starbucks, Greggs, and Krispy Kreme.

In a post on its Facebook page this week, the Original Factory Shop, Ilkley said: “We are sorry to let you know our store will close it’s doors on 19th October 2024.

They added: “We take this opportunity to thank all of the local community and our store colleagues for their support throughout our time here in Ilkley.”

Original Factory Shop has close to 200 stores located around the UK.

The sad news comes amid a wave of store closures across the UK.

Retailers are being squeezed by spiralling rents and mortgage rates as well as spikes in running costs.

That, combined with the rapid march towards online shopping as the dominant model in the sector, is leaving physical stores on the brink.

An outdoor clothing chain has also launched a huge closing down sale as Trespass closes its store in Coventry.

The activewear brand employs more than 1,500 people in the UK but has shut around half a dozen stores this year.

The date of the closure was not specified at the time, but local media reported that the shutters came down for the last time on September 13.

Retail woes

Other retailers, such as Homebase, Boots, and Clarks, have been reducing the number of their high-street branches.

Rising rents, energy bills, and the cost of living have also caused many retailers to fail.

Several big retailers have fallen into administration in the past year, including Wilko, Paperchase, and most recently, The Body Shop and Ted Baker.

The Body Shop collapsed into administration on February 13, putting its almost 198 branches at risk of closure.

Since then, it has closed down 82 locations.

CLIMBING the career ladder is tough enough but when you’re working class, it can be even harder.

According to the Government’s Social Mobility Commission, adults with working-class parents are three times as likely to be in a working-class occupation compared to people with professional parents.

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Despite 48 per cent of UK adults considering themselves to be working class, half of big-name firms do not actively seek out working-class talent — but for those who do, the rewards can be exceptional.

When a person works their way up to have a higher income or higher status of job than their parents, it’s known as “upward social mobility”.

According to campaign group the Sutton Trust, enhancing social mobility within UK firms to match the average Western European level could lead to a nine per cent boost in GDP, equivalent to £2,620 per person, or a total of £170billion added to the UK economy annually.

This week sees the annual SOMO Awards — known as the UK’s “social mobility Oscars” — which celebrate employers helping working-class people fulfil their career potential.

Set up by charity Making The Leap, this year the awards cover firms employing close to 1.3million people representing 20 business sectors.

While finance, law and professional services make up almost half of entries, there has been a big rise in submissions from the creative and media sectors, plus local authority and Government.

Londoner Kevin Sterling faced dozens of job rejections until he signed up for Making The Leap’s social mobility programme.

Kevin, 23, now works as an engineer for Sky, and says: “Before taking the course, it felt like I was stuck in limbo with no end in sight, and got rejection after rejection. I was at my wits’ end.

“With Making The Leap I took part in activities including networking and mock interviews, which really helped, and I learned how to evaluate myself.

“I’d always been focused on the future, never taking the time to reflect on how far I’ve come, what I’m lacking, and how I can turn my weaknesses into strengths.”

Tunde Banjoko, from Making The Leap, said: “By adopting social mobility initiatives, organisations demonstrate to their staff and customers that they are committed to creating an inclusive workplace while helping to unlock the full potential of talent from all walks of life in society.”

Firms including Sky, Linklaters, Nationwide, KPMG and PWC have all entered and the awards are open to organisations of all sizes.

A Nationwide spokeswoman said: “We believe the circumstances of a person’s birth shouldn’t determine their outcomes in life. We are dedicated to equitable progression.”

Find out more at somo.uk

TIPS FOR CAREER YOU WANT

COMPETITION to secure a job is at its fiercest in three years, so how to stand out?

Here Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, from Jobleads.com, shares his tips on securing the job you want.

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Network, Network, Network: Successful networking is all about building relationships.

Reach out to people in your field with a simple message, like asking for advice or sharing something interesting. Be authentic, follow up, stay in touch and help when you can.

Join a club: Many UK cities have networking groups and business clubs. Chamber of Commerce groups and Business Network International also host events.

These gatherings are great for building connections.

Customise Applications: Read the job description thoroughly and focus on skills and experiences that match what the employer is after.

If you have limited experience, showcase your transferable skills on your CV.

Build a professional Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your skills, experiences, and career goals and follow industry trends.

Keep Learning: The job market is always changing, so keep your skills up to date. Take online courses and attend workshops. Showing potential employers you’re committed to growth can make you a more attractive candidate.

Stay Positive, Be Persistent: Every rejection is a step closer to the right opportunity. Keep applying, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Persistence will pay off in the end.

OCTOBER BLUES?

FORGET the January blues, October is the month when we are ill the most.

Figures from BrightHR show while one third of all sickness occurs in the last three months of the year, it’s October when staff most frequently call in sick.

Typically, October illness rates are 122 per cent above the monthly average, with a 157 per cent spike in flu cases and 164 per cent leap in common cold cases. Mental health-related absences rise by 112 per cent, the highest of any month.

Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, said: “Encouraging a culture of openness where employees feel comfortable discussing their health, and reminding employees of any support in place . . . can also make a significant difference.”

DITCH the booze this month to help save some cash and get a clear head in the run-up to Christmas.

Sober October is a campaign backed by Macmillan Cancer Support — and you can sign up to join in the challenge at gosober.org.uk.

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Then try these easy ideas for alcohol-free drinks to see you through to November . . . 

HOT ROSIE: Add hot water to rosemary cordial, which you can make from the Tesco recipe below, for a hot toddy perfect for autumn.

To make the cordial, put the zest and juice from two lemons and a grapefruit into a pan.

Get a handful of rosemary sprigs and strip the leaves into the pan along with 60g of fresh, sliced ginger, 150g of sugar and 250ml of water.

Stir on a medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then reduce the heat to low, stirring for around 15 minutes until it is thicker and fragrant.

Strain through a sieve and keep in a storage bottle. You’ll need two tablespoons of the cordial added to a cup of hot water to create your toddy.

FAUX G&T: If you love a gin and tonic, try an alcohol-free version of the spirit such as Tanqueray 0.0% and Flor de Sevilla 0.0%, both down to £15 from £17 at Sainsbury’s with a Nectar card.

Selected Fever-Tree tonics are down from £2.10 to £1.80 for 500ml with a Clubcard at Tesco. Try the Spanish clementine flavour with the Flor de Sevilla 0.0% for a lovely fruity drink.

Or the elderflower tonic goes well with the standard Tanqueray 0.0%.

MULLED APPLE JUICE: Swap mulled cider for apple juice and embrace autumn without the booze.

You need to simmer a litre of apple juice with a stick of cinnamon, two or three cloves and orange peel to create the perfect seasonal drink.

If you prefer it sweeter, then just add a couple of spoonfuls of sugar.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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WETHERSPOONS is being sued for more than £200,000 after a drinker fell to his death from a second-floor window.

The pub chain faces action from the partner of Callum McKeon, who tumbled from an upstairs flat used for storage while looking for a toilet.

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It is accused of negligence and breach of statutory duty by his partner, Chloe Fletcher-Langley in her High Court action.

The case follows an inquest which heard a drunk Mr McKeon, 24, was trying to get into the Golden Lion in New-market, Cambs, after a stag do in June 2021.

The dad of three was turned away but went looking for the toilet and staggered into the second-floor flat, where he fell from a window.

A coroner ruled his being able to reach an off-limits area contributed to his death.

Speaking after the inquest into his death, Mr McKeon’s mother Tina Bedford said she hoped that lessons would be learned.

She said: “Callum was a loving son, brother, father, and partner, and is sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

“He was always happy and cheerful, and would have done anything for his three kids, Olivia, Ronnie and Frankie.

“He’d enjoyed a day socialising with his family and friends, and the night shouldn’t have ended like that. If Callum hadn’t been able to access that room, that night, he’d still be with us.

“Callum was loved by so many and his memory will live on.

“What happened that day could have been prevented with some simple steps to stop Callum ending up where he did.

“We just hope that there will be lessons learned, and that another family won’t have to go through what we have had to. We will miss him so much every single day.”

The Sun contacted Wetherspoons for comment.

THE Bank of England could be “more aggressive” in cutting interest rates, Governor Andrew Bailey has said.

He claimed that if inflation continues to be held in check then the Bank could “be more activist” in lowering rates.

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The news will be a boost to borrowers and particularly the 1.6million homeowners who need to remortgage later this year.

Last month Mr Bailey had suggested the opposite when saying that interest rates would fall “gradually”.

Money markets now have a near 100 per cent bet that the Bank will cut rates from the current five per cent to 4.75 per cent at its meeting next month.

However, the Pound fell sharply yesterday — with its biggest one-day slump in 18 months — following Mr Bailey’s comments to The Guardian.

It slipped 1.08 per cent against the dollar to $1.31, while dropping by 0.96 per cent against the euro to €1.19.

Valentin Marinov, head of Group-of-10 FX strategy at Credit Agricole, said: “The best days of the pound rally may be behind us.”