Norwich Taco Bell's 'bad smells' cause couple nuisance

But in the streets of Norwich, the Mexican staple is leading to a different kind of spice that has sparked a showdown between Taco Bell and the owners of a rival local firm.

Derek and Suzanne Hardy, food entrepreneurs who, between them, have launched several food businesses including City Taco on the market, have attempted to stop the fast food giant from opening later at its London Street restaurant.

The pair, who also run Don Txoco, a Spanish steakhouse in St Benedicts Street, claim noxious smells coming from the US chain's extractor fan are leaving them unable to sleep.

After finishing a day's work, they say they are unable to use their bedroom until the restaurant closes due to bad odours entering their home.

Old Post Office Court flats, where Mr and Mrs Hardy live, where they say bad smells from Taco Bell are causing them restless nights (Image: Owen Sennitt)

The unit is located at the back of the fast food chain’s site, near their flat in Old Post Office Court.

They say that because they are unable to spend time in their bedroom while the restaurant is in operation, they are forced to sleep on the sofa in their living room.

Taco Bell in London Street, Norwich (Image: Owen Sennitt)

In a letter to Norwich City Council, Mrs Hardy said: "Our wellbeing is seriously affected by this situation as we are having to sleep in our living room before 11pm and then get up early to start work at 7am.

"The one day we have off is Sunday but the extraction is turned on at 9am... so we are unable to relax."

Derek Hardy, inside Japanese restaurant and bar, Fire Izakaya, in White Lion Street, which is now shut (Image: Denise Bradley)

The licensing committee meeting was held at Norwich City Hall (Image: Owen Sennitt)

She was told by officers that they could not complain about the odours being a public nuisance if they occurred during daytime hours.

But now, Taco Bell wants to operate later into the night until 1am.

The City Taco stall in Norwich Market, which is owned by Derek Hardy, who lives with his wife Suzanne in a flat behind Taco Bell (Image: Newsquest)

The row culminated in a licensing meeting this week, in which solicitors for Taco Bell dismissed claims the restaurant was causing a public nuisance.

Matthew Phipps, a lawyer for TLT solicitors specialising in licensing, said there is “insufficient evidence” to back up Mr and Mrs Harry’s complaints, as environmental health officers have not taken any action against the business.

Representatives for Taco Bell sit before councillors at a licensing committee meeting (Image: Owen Sennitt)

Other residents of Old Post Office Court have not complained about the smells.

However, Taco Bell were forced to make changes to their operations six months ago, due to a lack of cleaning of their extraction system, following the couple’s complaints about bad smells.

At the meeting, Mrs Hardy told a panel of councillors that the more regular cleaning was "making very little difference".

Old Post Office Court, the street behind Taco Bell where Mr and Mrs Hardy live (Image: Owen Sennitt)

However, officials have not received any complaints since, until an objection was lodged with NCC against the licensing application.

Mr Phipps added that the Taco Bell restaurant was being managed to high standards, as evident by its five-star hygiene rating.

Also, a national firm called Linekers carries out regular cleaning and maintenance of its extraction system every six months as required.

He added: "We do not accept that the problem continues unabated. If it is, where has environmental health been for the last six months?"

The City Taco stall in Norwich Market, which is owned by Derek Hardy, who lives with his wife Suzanne in a flat behind Taco Bell (Image: Newsquest)

After a discussion behind closed doors, the panel of councillors decided to approve the bid to open an hour later, meaning Taco Bell will now operate until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, there are strict conditions imposed on the business, which include more regular cleaning of its extractor fan system to match the increase in cooking caused by the later opening hours.

Tacos from City Taco, which operates from a stall in Norwich Market (Image: Newsquest)

The monitoring officer said the committee had taken into account the objections and that the conditions imposed will be "mitigating measures" to prevent any public nuisance.

If further issues arise, the licence could be reviewed.

TACO TAKEOVER?

Businesses serving Mexican street food are becoming increasingly popular in the city, with several venues starting in recent years.

Taco Bell opened in 2024 in London Street, as part of an ongoing expansion in the UK.

Other chains that also opened in the city last year include Tortilla in nearby White Lion Street and Plan Burrito in Timberhill.

The latter opened very close to Avo, an independent burrito and taco restaurant running since 2022.

On the market, you will find Mr Hardy's City Tacos and in NR3, there is Fuego Tacos at the Stanley in Magdalen Road.