A Burger King that was only recently given planning permission to open has been criticised and told by a customer to 'treat the public better.'

Chris Sharp and family were shocked and the children in tears after being refused entry to the New Brighton store on Sunday – despite the restaurant appearing almost empty.

According to Chris, they were told to wait outside in the cold for a table at the new store, and have now rejected the firm’s apology and offer of a free meal, adding that they didn’t do it to get “freebies”.

But the company, which was given the green light by Wirral council last month to open at Marine Point, apologised and offered a free meal to Chris and family.

The fast food giant said on the day of the incident, it was a soft launch, with short practice shifts held ahead of the store’s full opening on Monday.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: ”Providing a superior guest experience is a top priority at BURGER KING UK restaurants. We apologise to our guests for any inconvenience caused during the soft opening of the New Brighton restaurant. We are now fully open and look forward welcoming guests.”

But responding to the firm’s offer, Chris was unforgiving, and said he’d prefer it if the free meals were instead given to charity.

He said: “I don’t want anything. It’s not about what I can get out of it, it’s about staff treating their customers properly. I still think the attitude was disgraceful and not a way to treat the public.”

When asked what he would like to see from the firm now, he said: “I just want them to treat the public better.

“It’s supposed to be a restaurant open to families and the public – paying customers.”

It comes after Chris revealed his shock at staff telling him and his family it was too busy to come into the store – and that they’d have to wait outside for 10 to 15 minutes.

Dad-of-five Chris, 31, said they weren’t even allowed to wait in the doorway – despite the family seeing plenty of empty tables inside and it being cold weather.

He was with three of his young children and wife Ashleigh at the time, and said after the incident, the family ended up going to Subway instead.

Responding to Burger King’s claim that it was a soft launch and staff were in training, he was equally unforgiving, adding: “We weren’t told that at the time. If they had given us an explanation at the time it would have been fine, but that simply didn’t happen.

“I’m not bothered about getting anything for free. They could offer us anything and I wouldn’t accept. It doesn’t mean anything to us.

“I would say give it to charity. I didn’t do this to get any freebies.”

The store will be open to the public from 11am-9pm Sunday to Thursdays, and 10.30am-10pm Fridays and Saturdays.

It comes after the world-famous chain said it would open its new store with a “brand new prime design”, having received planning permission.

In November, it had advertisement consent approved by the council for its new signs – to “bring the premises over to the Burger King brand”.

Speaking earlier this year, Wirral’s ward councillor for New Brighton, Pat Hackett, said it was “vital” the Marine Point resort is full, but said not everyone will be happy at the store opening there.

He said: “I know it’s not to everyone’s liking, but it fills a vacant shop unit and will undoubtedly bring in more people.

“I think it’s important to look further than just this as we look to build on New Brighton’s undoubted success, and ensuring Marine Point is full is a vital component of that, as we look to bring in more different types of leisure, cultural and creative attractions to add to the mix that is already there.”