Taco Bell is set to open its first restaurant in a Kent district creating 20 jobs inside a former Debenhams store.
The Mexican-inspired chain tabled plans for a new venue at Westwood Cross, Broadstairs, earlier this year to join the likes of Hollywood Bowl and Riparo Lounge.
And this month, the district council green-lighted the US giant’s proposals meaning it will be its first branch to launch in Thanet.
The fast-food chain already has seven branches across the county and 137 restaurants in the UK.
But those living in the district previously had to travel to Dover or Canterbury to get their fix of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos.
Plans submitted in July to Thanet District Council attracted just one objection from a resident, who fears there would be too many hospitality businesses at the shopping centre.
In a letter to the authority, Mr Shariffe wrote: “Westwood Cross already hosts a significant number of food outlets, leading to an oversaturation that negatively impacts the diversity and balance of businesses within the mall.
“We believe granting permission for another food outlet would be detrimental to the economic and social fabric of the mall and its surrounding community.
“The continual approval of food establishments may lead to a decline in the diversity of retail offerings, making the mall less attractive to a broader range of shoppers.”
Mr Shariffe claimed too many food shops would drive customers away and potentially harm the mall’s economic viability.
“Additionally, the absence of essential services such as beauty salons, opticians and specialised retail stores further limits the mall’s appeal to a diverse customer base,” he added.
But a TDC officer addressed the concerns in a report approving the plans, stressing they are irrelevant to planning decisions.
“The proposal would allow part of the building to be used as a restaurant and takeaway with minimal external changes being made to the building,” they write.
“Concern has been raised there are already many similar restaurants and food outlets within the shopping centre, and that there should be more diversity of commercial outlets to attract a wider range of customers to the centre and to support its economic viability.
“The loss of trade to a competitor, or level of profit a development might make are not concerns that can be addressed through the planning process.”
It was revealed in 2021 the former department store of 16 years would be transformed into a complex with restaurants, bars and leisure offerings across the two-storey site.
It had been hoped, despite the closure of other stores across the country, the Broadstairs outlet could be spared.
Boohoo – which bought the retailer in a £55 million deal – revealed in January 2021 it had no plans to keep any of its remaining Debenhams stores open after 243 years of trading.
Since its closure, it has been subdivided into different units and brands such as Hollywood Bowl and the Riparo Lounge have now moved into the former department store.
The latest plan for Taco Bell would see its restaurant open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm.
The unit would also provide 20 jobs in the form of eight full-time and 12 part-time job positions, with both eat-in and takeaway services on the cards.
Taco Bell shut its restaurants permanently in Dartford and Tunbridge Wells earlier this summer amid financial difficulties.
