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Ipswich Taco Bell fit-out begins at Anglia Retail Park

News

The interior fit-out of the new Taco Bell restaurant is underway at Anglia Retail Park in Ipswich.

This follows the completion of construction works by Ipswich Borough Assets, a company owned by Ipswich Borough Council.

The big picture: Taco Bell's arrival marks the first of two expected new store openings at Anglia Retail Park before Christmas, with Lidl also nearing completion of its fit-out.

The Mexican-inspired fast food chain continues its expansion in the UK, where it has operated since 2010.

Taco Bell
Colin Kreidewolf, Chair of Ipswich Borough Assets, and Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader, in front of the Taco Bell restaurantIpswich Borough Assets

Key details:

  • The restaurant will feature Taco Bell's signature bold design with modern aesthetics and comfortable seating.

  • Customers will have options for dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, and delivery services.

Why it matters: The new stores are expected to create job opportunities and, according to the council, boost retail diversity in the area.

Taco Bell's presence adds to the growing number of UK locations, which have increased significantly since the brand's return to the country in 2010.

What they're saying: Colin Kreidewolf, Chair of Ipswich Borough Assets, said: "We're delighted to see the progress made with both the Taco Bell and Lidl projects. The completion of the building works is a key milestone for the retail park and creates the opportunity for new jobs."

Context: Taco Bell, founded in California in 1962, briefly operated in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s before relaunching in 2010. The chain has since expanded nationwide, with the Ipswich location joining over 100 UK stores.

What's next: An official opening date will be announced soon.

Former Ipswich Town striker charged in £600k cannabis smuggling case

News

Former Ipswich Town striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through a UK airport.

The big picture: The 33-year-old, who spent two seasons at Portman Road from 2011 to 2013, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in Scotland following the seizure of approximately 60kg of the drug at Stansted airport.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas playing for Ipswich Town
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas playing for TownAlamy

Key details:

  • Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was arrested Wednesday in Gourock, Inverclyde.

  • He's accused of attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted airport.

  • Border Force officers found approximately 60kg of the drug in two suitcases from Bangkok.

  • Emmanuel-Thomas is set to appear at Carlisle magistrates court Thursday, charged with importing class B drugs.

60kg of cannabis
60kg of cannabis was seizedNCA

JET's Ipswich career: The journeyman joined Ipswich in 2011 for £1.1m from Arsenal, scoring nine goals in 75 appearances for the Tractor Boys. He left Ipswich in 2013 in a swap deal with Bristol City. He most recently played with Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship.

The bottom line: The NCA warns that cannabis smuggling into the UK carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence, contradicting misinformation some couriers receive about facing only fines.

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