Readers of the Bucks Free Press are divided in their feelings about popular American chain Taco Bell opening a new branch in High Wycombe.

This newspaper revealed that the Mexican-inspired restaurant is set to take over the former Bill’s unit in the Eden Shopping Centre last week.

Bill’s closed in March 2023 and 22 Newlands Avenue, jammed between Osaka and Buzz Gym, has laid empty ever since.

While some locals were happy to see a new name arrive in Eden, others are less enthusiastic – suggesting that a non-fast-food restaurant would better suit the town.

Colin France and Liam Buckley both lamented this fact in particular, with Colin deriding its status as yet “another fast-food restaurant” and Liam questioning if there was “any hope of an actual restaurant opening” om the area.

Karen-Paul Boakes struck a similar note, saying: “Another restaurant in our so-called shopping centre… great”, while Fiona Johnston added: “What we want is decent shops, not more food and coffee spaces.”

Some were more optimistic, however. Nicola J. Bartlett said: “I love an occasional Taco Bell. Yeah, it’s not the best food ever but it’s tasty and reasonably priced”, and Donna Britnell wrote: “I hope this is true – I will be very happy”.

Elliott Harwood also firmly looked on the bright side, reasoning that “(we) may not have Oasis tickets, but at least we’ve got some good news”, and Andy Logic also criticised those who “always have to look at the negatives”, describing it as “good to see another empty unit being filled”.

Andy added: “I say well done to whomever is setting up this franchise – bringing commerce, jobs and choice into Wycombe.”

Others had been hoping for different restaurants or retailers to fill Bill’s shoes – with Sandra Edwards admitting she would “rather see a Toby Carvery” in the town and Leanne Jeffries calling for The Range to be next in the shopping centre’s planned arrivals.

Taco Bell has opened over 130 UK branches as part of an accelerated expansion plan over the last decade.

The Wycombe restaurant would mark its second base in Buckinghamshire, after a venue at Elder Gate in Milton Keynes opened in 2020.

While it has yet to gain permission from Buckinghamshire Council to install the proposed illuminated sign bearing that recognisable logo, the new arrival could be one of the nine new businesses lined up for the Eden Centre at the beginning of the year by director Andrew Norton.