Some residents like the idea of franchises in Bermuda while others are concerned with the waste they could create and the threat they would pose to local businesses and health.

The Royal Gazette took to the streets of Hamilton last week to ask people how they felt about franchises coming to Bermuda following the defeat of the Prohibited Restaurant Act in the Senate last Wednesday.

Both Glynnis Swan and Cheyenne Hooker said they did not have a problem with allowing franchises into the Island.

Ms Swan said: "I don't see anything wrong with McDonald's coming back because it's been here for all of my life.

"But I don't think Bermuda needs all of those other franchises because then it would start looking like America.'' And Ms Hooker said: "I think they should bring franchises into Bermuda for the specific fact that we wear American clothes, we have American cars and we have everything here that's American already.

Ms Swan said she had seen McDonald's blend in nicely in historical towns in the US and added: "I think if they did it in Bermuda it wouldn't be anything different.'' She said she felt the attention being drawn to the franchise issue was "a little childish thing'' which would never be news in the US and added that the effect on Bermuda businesses would be small.

But Lorren Wilson disagreed: "I'm not in favour of it. I think it takes away from the uniqueness of Bermuda and what's offered by the indigenous local culture.

"America exports so much cultural imperialism anyway by television and radio -- I mean we're almost like an American state. To allow them to bring in restaurants would enhance that.

"I think that detracts from Bermuda and detracts from reasons for why people should come to Bermuda because you should come to Bermuda for something uniquely Bermudian.'' Myron Piper said he was concerned for small businesses and Bermudians health.

"I don't think the franchises should be allowed in because it takes away from small businesses getting established and I think those are the people that would be hurt the most.

"It would also create bad habits for people eating a lot of fast food.'' He added he also felt other franchises should be looked at.

"We have Kentucky Fried Chicken already here and I think the only problem that I have with the bill and the way they are trying to do it is that they have already let one franchise get established.

"Then they're saying they will not let anyone else get established so they will have to review that as well in order to make it a level playing field.'' James Leeman said he felt "fast food chains generate a lot of waste'' which "represent an American fast-paced life but people come to Bermuda to relax''.

"I don't think people come to Bermuda for fast food chains or anything -- they come because the Island stands for beauty and the restaurants we have cater to our needs.'' Anthony White said the issue came down to giving people choices.

He asked: "Would it please people to say you can't have this or you can't have that? "It should be up to the individual to make that choice for themselves.

"If you don't want McDonald's you're not going to go to a McDonald's, if you want your Jamaican food you go to a Jamaican store.

"Everybody should have that freedom to choose what they want.'' He added that franchises would benefit the Island by providing more business and more jobs for people.

And Jen Abrutyn said she felt a good balance had been created which should not be disrupted.

"I think the way it is currently is fine -- there's just a little bit here and there -- but not too much because it can get overpowering.'' Cheyenne Hooker James Leeman Myron Piper Anthony White