It’s either something to toast, or nothing to raise a glass to.

That seemed to be the consensus around Farnham town centre on Monday as the great British public gave their view on Wetherspoons coming to town.

The Herald went on a walkabout to get some opinions about the cheap and cheerful chain replacing The Slug & Lettuce on East Street, with the responses being decidedly mixed.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing but I think a lot will depend on how it’s managed and run,” said Greg Parratt over a swift one at the Nelson Arms.

“If it turns into somewhere where it’s going to encourage the more, shall we say, less desirable who are looking for just cheap beer, then it won’t be such a good idea.”

He added: “I’ve nothing against it, though. I’ll check it out but Wetherspoons aren’t going to drag me away from this pub.”

“I think it will be a big improvement on what’s there at the moment,” said a relaxed looking Bob Frost in The Ivy Club.

“I think potentially it’s going to be a good thing and I also think one way or another it’s going to force the issue about what to do with the pavement parking there.”

Teresa Thompson, of Downing Street bakery Loaf, isn’t convinced Wetherspoons will be good for Farnham having seen its impact on her native Godalming.

She said: “I don’t mind them and think they’re OK, but they’re not very good for some towns as you get a lot of people standing outside them smoking and drinking.

“They do bring a lot of people into town as well, so that’s got to be a good thing.”

“I think it will be good for students because of the prices,” said Ruby Clarkson, of Hermanos, while colleague Ethan Green hopes the chain doesn’t become dominant.

He said: “It’s good to have a budget friendly option but only if it doesn’t steal the lion’s share of the market.

“I get why they’re coming but with the amount of pubs we already have in Farnham I can’t feel that it will be stealing business making life harder for some of them here.