Today the global fast-food outlet KFC officially opened its doors in Amersham after months of delays and drama, including a fire.

Only half an hour after the shop on Sycamore Road had opened at 1pm today (May 18), there were 15-minute queues inside.

The atmosphere was party-like as cheerful Amersham School pupils celebrated their school leavers day.

Many had bought the famous chicken, while one vegetarian student stuck to eating corn on the cob, one of the few vegan options on the menu.

READ MORE: Amersham KFC fire ahead of rumoured opening

Shely Collins, from Amersham and Brazil, sent a picture of the new shop to her son to surprise him.

She said: “It’s not as bad as what some people say, especially older people who don’t want it to come to Amersham, just like some who are opposed to Lidl coming to town.

“Many people, even in Amersham, are struggling to afford food, so there should be options.

“I think they don’t want the change, they’re saying it will bring problems like litter, but young people around here are not the problem."

Although her 15-year-old son wasn’t going to come to KFC every day, she didn’t mind him visiting it occasionally with his friends.  

“It’s not my cup of tea personally, but just because I don’t need it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be in Amersham.

“There needs to be places for young people too. My son might not go to a cafe but this is something he enjoys.”

A manager of a café further down the road was worried for the future with KFC as a neighbour.  

He said: “The council shouldn’t have allowed it to open here.

“We’re worried it will attract gangs of people who will litter and scare away some of our customers.

“It doesn’t suit this area.”

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Amersham mayor Mark Roberts came to try the ‘Zinger Burger’.

He said: “It’s different from a lot of the other takeaway restaurants.

“We’ve got kebabs, we’ve got pizzas, but no real other fried chicken venue.

He responded to concerns some independent restaurants voiced: “We want to champion independent stores where we can, and we’d like to see more independent stores.

“We rather see independent stores than chains, but we also rather see thriving businesses than empty units.

While the Town Council isn't directly involved with High Street planning applications except making comments, they want to make sure there's a balance of outlets, Mr Roberts said.

He added: “We want to promote independent businesses, and we want to make sure it’s a thriving town.”

“This was empty for two years prior to us taking over,” the Amersham KFC franchise owner Peter Vujasevic chimed in.

He assured the staff would do regular patrols to make sure the shop isn’t causing litter to the surrounding areas, and that there were no problems with delivery drivers.