Taco Bell has revealed it will open its new restaurant in Anglia Retail Park on Tuesday, October 22. The fast food chain is also planning a second location in Ipswich.
The big picture: After a few delays, Taco Bell is finally bringing its Mexican-inspired fast food to Ipswich, with plans for two locations in the town.
Taco Bell at Anglia Retail Park in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
Key details:
The new restaurant will open in the former Carphone Warehouse unit at Anglia Retail Park
An application to convert the unit was submitted in August 2022
Plans include adding a drive-thru lane and converting two parking spaces into waiting bays
Signs for the new restaurant were put up at the end of August
What's next: Taco Bell has submitted proposals to Ipswich Borough Council for a second location in the former Frankie & Benny's unit in Edith Cook Way, Ravenswood.
It has emerged there is no contractual agreement for M&S to maintain its high street store alongside the planned development in Copdock. The revelation comes after council leaders described the deal as "fantastic news for Ipswich" that "secures an ongoing M&S presence in Ipswich town centre." It doesn't.
The government minister responsible for primary care has met with Ipswich's MPs to discuss the cancelled development of a 'super surgery' in north west Ipswich. Stephen Kinnock MP held talks with local representatives following the scrapping of Cardinal Medical Practice's planned development at the former Tooks Bakery site.
Why it matters: The meeting signals high-level government engagement with Ipswich's primary care challenges, particularly in the north west of the town where the cancelled development was planned.
The big picture: The development at the former Tooks Bakery site was intended to create a new 'super surgery' that would embed healthcare services within the local community, aligning with the government's long-term NHS strategy.
Jack Abbott MP and Patrick Spencer MP met with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock on Saturday 30 NovemberOffice of Jack Abbott MP
The details: Jack Abbott MP and Patrick Spencer MP met with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock on Saturday 30 November:
Both MPs emphasised the need for improved primary care in north west Ipswich
The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to community-based healthcare
The project was meant to align with recommendations from the Darzi Report on NHS strategy
Health bosses and council officials are going back to the drawing board after plans for a new £7.5m Cardinal Medical Practice 'super surgery' in northwest Ipswich were scrapped due to "rising costs".
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55 days ago
What they're saying:
"I will continue to work with local and national politicians and our local NHS to try and find a workable solution," said Jack Abbott MP
Patrick Spencer MP described the cancellation as "bitterly disappointing" for both the medical practice and local residents
Spencer added that the promised new 'super surgery' would "deliver exactly what the Government has committed to – health services embedded in the local community"
The bottom line: While the minister has reinforced the government's commitment to community healthcare, no immediate solution has been proposed for the cancelled development. Both MPs have pledged to continue working towards a sustainable solution.
