New Taco Bell to open at Dumfries retail park after 21-year wait
Taco Bell prepares its first venture into Dumfries with permissions sought for signage
A piece of land that sat empty for 21 years at one of Dumfries’ retail parks is finally being put to use as Taco Bell edges closer to opening.
The fast food chain has this week sought permissions for signage, and intends to make Dumfries its 11th location in Scotland.
The development at the Peel Centre on Lockerbie Road follows hot on the heels of Costa, which moved into the neighbouring plot just nine months ago – signalling a positive economic boost for the town.
Taco Bell has applied to Dumfries and Galloway Council for permission to display five internally illuminated fascia signs, one illuminated fascia sign and one illuminated entrance arch at the site. The application was validated by planning chiefs on July 21 and is now in a public consultation phase running until August 11.
In a letter to the company, council planning team leader Lindsey Cameron wrote: “We aim to deal with all applications as quickly as we can although the exact time taken in each case will depend on a number of features, such as the comments from statutory consultees; the need for additional information/amendments, etc.”
The signage application is the latest step forward for a development that has been in the pipeline since planning permission was first granted for the drive-thru restaurant last year.
When complete, the 1,800 sq ft restaurant will sit within the Peel Centre, which is already home to Matalan, Sports Direct, Pets at Home, Dreams, TK Maxx, B&M and Costa.
When it opens, Taco Bell will be the first of its kind in Dumfries and will bring the chain’s full UK menu to the town — including the Crunchwrap Supreme, Seasoned Nachos and Taco Party Packs.
There are currently 10 Taco Bell premises elsewhere in Scotland, in cities including Glasgow and Edinburgh, but Dumfries will be the first in the region.
The original planning application attracted four objections from residents at Fountainbleau, across the road from the site, who raised concerns about cooking smells, noise, litter and traffic.
One resident said at the time: “We the residents of Fountainbleau will be badly affected by this smelly addition, having to live directly across from it. The cooking smells, rubbish, noise and vehicular access to our homes will impact our lives on quite a severe level.”
Planning permission was nonetheless granted, subject to conditions including that the restaurant must not open to the public outside the hours of 7am and midnight in order to protect the amenity of neighbouring properties.
No official opening date has been confirmed by the company, although it is expected to take place later this year.
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