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Ipswich Taco Bell fit-out begins at Anglia Retail Park

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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.

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Nine arrests made in Ipswich police operation targeting road criminals

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More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during a multi-agency day of action in Ipswich last week.

Why it matters: The operation targeted criminals using Ipswich's road network while also focusing on dangerous driving behaviours that contribute to fatal collisions.

The big picture: The intelligence-led operation involved nine partner agencies and took place on Tuesday, 22 April at a check site at Sainsbury's in Hadleigh Road, aiming to disrupt organised crime groups that operate across county borders.

Police arrested nine people and stopped more than 100 vehicles
More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during the latest operationSuffolk Constabulary

By the numbers:

  • 71 vehicles were escorted to the check site, with just 14 found clear of offences

  • 63 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the site

  • 129 additional speeding offences were detected in surrounding areas

  • Five vehicles were seized for various offences

The details: Police made four arrests, including three for drug-driving and one for a suspect wanted by Lincolnshire Police for theft. Immigration Enforcement made five further arrests after checking 51 people.

Officers focused on the "Fatal Four" offences that commonly cause serious accidents: drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt.

A motorcyclist was recorded travelling at 81mph in a 40mph zone on the A1214 London Road.

What they're saying: Sergeant Alex Kelly of the Roads and Armed Policing Team said: "Days of action like this are vital in helping us gather and share intelligence with partner agencies, and are also a great way of intensely targeting an area."

"I have attended far too many collisions where one of the 'Fatal Four' elements was a contributing factor, some of which have resulted in the loss of a loved one."

Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: "The number of arrests and traffic offences recorded show just how valuable these multi-agency days of actions are."

"I fully support these pro-active campaigns. They send out a strong, clear message to those who choose not to comply with the 'fatal four' that Suffolk Constabulary is on the case."

The bottom line: The operation was part of the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight, which focuses on criminal use of the road network and targets those committing the most dangerous driving offences.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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