Justice for Taco Bell: A Call for Fairness and Renewal in Crawley’s High Street
By Samuel Lopez, Founder of Crawley.FOOD
Justice isn’t just about courtrooms. It’s about doing what’s right—especially when the facts are clear, the effort has been made, and the impact could be transformational for a town like Crawley.
In 2021, Taco Bell submitted a detailed and responsible planning application to open at 7 Grand Parade. The plans were thorough—respectful of the High Street Conservation Area, backed by acoustic and environmental reports, and yes, even included a clear path toward water neutrality. This wasn’t rushed or careless. It was a serious investment in Crawley—over £500,000 to restore a long-vacant unit and create 25 new jobs.
But because national water neutrality guidance changed after the submission, the application was caught in a technical loophole. Years passed. The store remained fitted out but unopened. And today, despite full compliance and updated proposals, justice still hasn’t been delivered.
When Doing the Right Thing Should Be Enough
Taco Bell followed the rules. It showed initiative. It addressed every concern raised—before and after the policy changes. That deserves more than silence. That deserves justice.
This isn’t just about a single restaurant—it’s a test case for how Crawley responds to those who invest in our future with integrity and care. We can’t afford to let red tape override common sense or fairness.
Crawley Can Do Better
At Crawley.FOOD, we exist to celebrate and promote the incredible food culture we have here—new openings, local favourites, community gems. But we also stand for justice when the system stalls progress instead of supporting it.
Justice, in this case, means recognising that:
- A business that was investing in Crawley
- A town centre unit was brought back to life
- Local people were ready for work
- And all the planning criteria have now been fully satisfied
What’s needed now is a clear response that reflects those facts. Not delay. Not uncertainty. Justice.
Let’s Set a Better Standard
Approving this application now would not just unlock one restaurant. It would restore trust. It would show that Crawley values fairness, growth, and the businesses that believe in this town. It would say loud and clear: if you do things properly, Crawley stands with you.
That’s the kind of town we want to build. That’s the kind of leadership we should expect.
Be Part of the Change
This is why we’ve launched the Justice for Taco Bell campaign—not just to right one wrong, but to champion a better way forward for our town.
Let’s show that Crawley chooses justice, backs investment, and welcomes opportunity with integrity.
Support the campaign:
Follow Crawley.FOOD, use #JusticeForTacoBell, and help us stand for fairness, opportunity, and the future of Crawley’s food scene.