Ross is currently being keenly discussed as to whether residents would support a McDonald’s fast food restaurant, should it come to the town.

Rumours have circulated regularly about the possibility and it’s once again a hot topic on social media. A McDonald’s spokesperson confirmed to the Ross Gazette: “It is an area of interest to us should the opportunity arise.”

They added that they “don’t currently have any firm plans to open a restaurant in Ross-on-Wye.”

The majority of responses on social media have been negative, with a concern of more litter, and a need to fill existing empty shops in the town.

Chris Willis said on the Facebook page ‘Ross-on-Wye Notice Board’: “Ross needs to fill the existing empty shops and bring some life back into the town - not more eateries.”

Caz Dee also said: “We do have too many eating places too.... we need banks and butchers shops and green grocers. Loved the old days where we had proper shops and no shops should be open 24 hours or open on Sundays.”

Cathy Stevenson said: “What we need is lower rents and rates, very few businesses can afford Ross.”

Catherine Williams added: “More events like beer and food festivals would be good. Ross doesn’t have a food festival.”

Keith Phillips: “We need a two screen minimum cinema. A bowling alley there too would be brilliant.”

Other comments support a need for “great clothes shops,” especially kids clothes, and different ‘quality’ non-fast food restaurants.

Daniel Lister argued on Facebook page ‘McDonald’s for Ross-on-Wye’: “Ross is expanding fast and will soon have no network to support it.” Catherine Williams: “Seems pretty bad that Ross cannot support a McDonald’s.”

A comment in favour included: Catherine Lilwall: I’d rather another fast food come to Ross than empty shops or more charity shops.”