Taco Bell no longer moving onto Darlington Faverdale retail site

Taco Bell was named as a tenant at the Faverdale retail park as far back as July 2023, and was set to open a drive-thru restaurant.

But it is understood it will no longer be opening.

Developers Metcalf Harland Property Investment said the Californian-founded chain did not sign on a lease.

Pictures taken last week of the site, which will be home to a McDonald’s and Costa Coffee, show construction progressing.

Pictures show one of the drive-thru lanes has also been completed (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Building work started last March when heavy machinery moved in.

A McDonald’s sign pole has so far been erected and two buildings completed. It is not yet known when the site will open after an initial opening date of December 2025 was missed.

A McDonald’s sign was put up last month (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee initially deferred its decision in July 2023 over fears the development could lead to business closures and job losses elsewhere.

However, the plans were green-lit a month later, with Cockerton councillor Jan Cossins saying at the time: “If we had taken the decision to refuse last time, my daughter would have killed me because she loves Taco Bell.”

The retail site will add to the likes of Lidl, Starbucks, and Home Bargains already at Faverdale.