A fast food restaurant is needed to improve footfall in the town centre, the president of the Barnsley Chamber of Commerce has said.
Owen Gleadall said the number of people visiting the town centre had fallen noticeably since McDonald's closed their restaurant in Peel Square several years ago.
"McDonald's definitely brought people into the town centre and we could do with another fast food restaurant which is attractive to people.
"It would have to be a major player, such as a KFC or another McDonald's.
"There is a KFC at Town End, but it's not in the town centre."
He said members of the town centre forum The Voice had noticed a difference in footfall since McDonald's had closed.
He added: "When you remove footfall there is a knock on effect.
"We need some central point to create footfall and McDonald's certainly did that."
He admitted there had been a problem with litter associated with the restaurant, but said McDonald's had a team of litter pickers who would help to keep the area tidy.
