When Wimpy was the place for a burger in Manchester and its 1970s menu

These days, when it comes to buying a burger, you're spoilt for choice with large chains like McDonald's and Burger King, or relative newcomers Five Guys, as well as countless independent burger restaurants. But there once was a time when Wimpy's were the only burgers in town.

Many will remember visiting a Wimpy in Manchester, which had branches on Oxford Street and the Piccadilly Plaza complex in Piccadilly Gardens. There were also restaurants in Salford, Middleton, Stockport and the Arndale Centre.

The last Wimpy in Greater Manchester was in Salford Shopping Precinct, which was open at least up until the mid-Noughties. Now with just 62 branches left in the UK - down from around 600 during its 1970s heyday - the closest Wimpy restaurants to Greater Manchester are found in Huddersfield and Merseyside.

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The chain was founded in the US in 1934, with the first UK Wimpy Bar opening in Coventry Street, London, 70 years ago in 1954. In Manchester, the first Wimpy opened in Piccadilly in 1958, offering untold numbers of Mancunians their first taste of American-style fast food.

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By 1970, the chain was a global favourite with more than 1,000 outlets in 23 countries around the world - including many in Greater Manchester. The restaurants were seen as 'cool' places for teenagers and young adults to hang-out and socialise.

One strange fact about Wimpy in the UK is that in the late 1960s the restaurants refused to serve women on their own after midnight. It was claimed