Taco Bell takes up unit at Animate complex to open first Preston outlet

The new Animate cinema building in the heart of Preston Pic: Blog Preston

Preston will get its first Taco Bell outlet after the Mexican food chain was confirmed to have taken a unit inside the Animate cinema complex.

The lease is taken by Soul Foods Group – a multi-brand franchise operator, working with household names like Starbucks, KFC, and Taco Bell.

The nearest Taco Bell outlets open at present are in Wigan, Blackpool and Burnley. The brand, which began in California in 1962 before opening its first London outlet in 1986, serves burritos, nachos, crunch wraps, quesadillas and other Mexican-inspired foods.

Bruce Layzell, UK General Manager at Soul Foods Group, said: “Our goal is to deliver a great customer experience with bold flavours but also to create jobs and contribute positively to the local communities we serve.

“We are excited to bring Taco Bell to this vibrant new development and helping Preston to Live Mas!”

Animate will offer an eight-screen cinema, 16-lane bowling alley with gaming zone, five family restaurant units, a food hall, public realm, a socialising unit and 164-space basement car park, with brands including Hollywood Bowl, ARC Cinemas, Ask Italian, Cosmo, Las Iguanas, Mad Giant Food Hall and Loungers signed up as tenants.

Cllr Martyn Rawlinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources at Preston City Council, said: “We set out a vision to create a place where the people of Preston and beyond could come and enjoy. As a Council, it’s extremely rewarding to see that vision being realised and have the endorsement of brands such as Blue Bell Foods, as well as a long list of high-quality occupiers, all deciding to operate here.”

The construction phase of Preston City Council’s Animate project came to an end late last month – and work is now well under way on fitting out the facility ahead of its opening early next year.

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