Taco Bell: Neighbour fears late-night opening will worsen situation of ‘piles of vomit’ and ‘drunken brawls’

A Mexican restaurant that plans to open its first Bristol site on the Triangle in Clifton has already received an objection from a neighbour. Taco Bell, which is owned by the same company behind brands like KFC and Pizza Hut, is to open the restaurant at 64 Queens Road.

The site was previously occupied by the White Stuff clothes store, which closed last October. But an unnamed neighbour has objected to a planning application to extend the opening hours from 8am to 10pm, to 8am to 3am. The neighbour describes the application as ‘disingenuous’ as it does not address the fact that Taco Bell sells alcohol.

“If permission is granted it would be the only eating establishment in the area permitted to open until 3am and sell alcohol,” says the resident in a document on the Bristol City Council planning portal.

“The sale of alcohol in a nightclub is different as door and other staff at the establishment can monitor and deal with anyone who is obviously drunk and posing a risk to themselves or others.

“The streets in this area are already blighted by piles of vomit in shop doors and street corners and drunken brawls and arguments after late openings. This would only exacerbate the situation.”

In a supporting document on the portal, the owners of Taco Bell list all the nearby nightclubs and takeaways and their closing times. These include the Jason Donervan kebab van, which closes at 4am, and Triangle Grill on Triangle South, which closes at 5am. Neither of them serve alcohol.

Neighbouring nightclubs such as Lizard Lounge, Gravity and Lola Lo all close at 3am or 4am.

The resident added: “There is no evidence provided to suggest that the residential properties are largely occupied by students and doubt this is correct. The last thing the areas needs is another late opening food/drink establishment. The change of use should be refused. If it is permitted, an alcohol licence should not be permitted beyond 12pm.”

Bristol City Council will make a decision on the planning application in the coming weeks. Taco Bell was approached for comment.