Taco Bell to open in Folkestone and Dover
15:04, 04 April 2022
updated: 16:17, 04 April 2022
Two new Taco Bell restaurants are set to open in Kent.
The Mexican fast-food chain is planning to open restaurants in both Dover and Folkestone.
The Folkestone restaurant is destined for a town centre spot in West Terrace, and will fill the unit formerly occupied by Argos, which is now boarded up.
The site is near the existing McDonald's and around the corner from KFC.
A planning application to alter the shop front and instal new signs was submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council in January, and approved in March.
It was approved despite six objections from neighbours, who listed concerns over odour, extra rubbish, noise, vermin and impact on traffic from deliveries.
The opening date has yet to be confirmed by Taco Bell, but reports on social media suggest it could be opening as early as April 15.
A search on Google also lists April 15 as the opening date.
Folkestone is also listed on Taco Bell's own website under restaurant locations.
Its opening hours will be Monday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
The Dover restaurant has been confirmed by bosses at St James shopping centre, off St James Street.
A post on the retail park's Facebook post reads: "New store coming soon. The famous Mexican-inspired Taco Bell is coming to St James!
"Their bold and crave-able dishes wait to satisfy your taste buds.
"Stay tuned for more tasty information!"
No opening date was revealed, but the post prompted a lot of interest, attracting 413 comments and 160 shares.
One commenter said: "I’m going to be getting my lunch here on the daily."
Another said: "My prayers have been answered."
St James is already home to Nando's, Kaspas, Greggs and Burger King.
American chain Taco Bell came to the UK in 2010 and currently operates more than 80 restaurants.
Kent saw its first Taco Bell arrive at the Chatham Dockyard in Medway in 2019, and a second one opened in Maidstone last week.
The firm has also revealed plans to open more stores in Canterbury - one a drive thru off Sturry Road and a second in the High Street.
It serves a selection of dishes, from burritos to quesadillas, to churros dipped in chocolate.
Taco Bell and St James have both been approached for a comment.
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