Guzman y Gomez bows to community pressure
Guzman y Gomez (GYG) has done a backflip on a proposed 24-hour restaurant in Mosman following an uproar from residents.
In a letter to council, the fast food chain has amended the hours of business on the development application for a restaurant at 890 Military Road, from 24 hours to 6am to 10pm, seven days a week.
The question is whether this change of heart will placate locals regarding the proposed restaurant.
The vast majority of the 140 submissions received objected to the restaurant, 24-hour or not, and claimed a GYG would be out of place in Mosman, not fitting for the character of the area.
A heritage report said the restaurant’s design ‘respects and enhances the current contribution to the heritage significance’ of the area by using a darker, more conservative colour scheme and signage similar to neighbouring businesses.
There was a handful of submissions supporting a GYG, stating the area lacked late-night eateries for shift workers and hospital staff. One local commented that ‘we are living in a global city and not a country town’.
A spokesperson for GYG told North Shore Living before the back-flip that the chain was looking forward to opening on Military Road.
“There’s nothing team GYG love doing more than opening new restaurants,” the spokesperson said. “The new GYG in Mosman will give the local community more convenience of getting GYG’s 100% clean and freshly prepared menu.
“GYG is on a mission to reinvent fast food because we genuinely believe that fast food doesn’t have to be bad food. We’re excited to show the local community that it’s possible to serve good food, fast, without compromising on quality or nutrition.”
Other fast food and takeaway options nearby include Chargrill Charlies, Mosman Kebab, Pizza and Pide and Banh Mi Delicious.
The area has suffered in recent years with vacant shopfronts. At the time of print, Military Road had seven commercial buildings for lease on realcommercial.com.au