Mexican Standoff: Guzman y Gomez back pedals after community backlash to 24/7 Mosman store.

By JACK KELLY

The proposed plan by Mexican fast-food chain Guzman y Gomez to operate a 24-hour restaurant in Mosman has been met with strong opposition from residents.

The store, which was set to become the chain’s first 24/7 venue in NSW, has now back pedalled after community backlash, and will instead seek to operate from 6am to 10pm.

As first reported in Mosman Collective, the popular franchise had hoped to serve tacos and burritos around the clock, with a liquor license at 890 Military Rd.

In the month since publication, more than 130 residents have written to Mosman Council calling for the project to be rejected, with scores more signing a petition claiming the eatery will attract “riff-raff”.

Guzman y Gomez lodged the amendment on January 17, “to address community concerns.”

“This amendment of the current application aims to resolve the items raised by the community during the notification period along with discussions with Council,” the letter states, “based on review, the main contention was regarding the 24-hour 7 day trade.”

“It is therefore requested to amend the current application to revise the proposed trading hours to between 6am to 10pm, 7 days a week.”

Submissions from residents have centred on noise, anti-social behaviour, heritage impacts, traffic and the store’s potential to shatter the suburb’s ambience.

Lloyd Pickering, a local resident, voiced concerns over the proposal’s impact on the quality of life, suggesting that a 24/7 operation could harm the “quality of life”.

“Our neighbourhood has been known for its tranquillity in the evening, and many residents, including myself, chose to live here specifically for the peaceful atmosphere in the evening it offers. The introduction of a 24-hour restaurant has the potential to disrupt this tranquillity,” Mr Pickering said.

Julie Simpson, who lives nearby, echoed this sentiment.

“I say NO to any 24-hour cafe, restaurant or shop development in Mosman to save the health, peace and sanity of our residents in this beautiful suburb to stop greed from outsiders ripping us off,” she said in her submission.

Judy Savage said opening a GYG on Military Rd would be a “business disaster”.

“As anyone in Mosman knows, you can fire a cannon down the street at 9.30 pm,” she said.

Tim Longstaff raised similar concerns, saying a 24-hour store will attract “riff-raff” to Military Rd.

“Mosman is not a 24-hour destination,” he said, “we already have a problem with Uber drivers (and the like) getting McDonald’s from Military Rd Cremorne and loading rubbish in the gutters of Mosman after dropping off a ride.”

But despite overwhelming opposition, some support the idea, like resident Thomas Dickinson, who said a 24/7 GYG in Mosman would be beneficial.

“It provides clear and substantive benefits to people with irregular working hours, including those accustomed to regular late nights or who do shift work,” Mr Dickinson said.

“Military Rd is clearly growing worse by the day, with rows of vacant premises. The street has been without a fish and chip shop for a long period of time. It feels as though that soon unless you want to take out a mortgage or get a manicure, you’ll need to go to Cremorne or Neutral Bay.

“The introduction of Guzman and Gomez will attract people (particularly beachgoers) to Military Rd.”

The public division over GYG’s plans is not an isolated incident in Mosman’s history.

Previous proposals by Woolworths and Dan Murphy’s also faced similar resistance, with a robust local stance on preserving the suburb’s character and heritage.

The council is still deliberating on the $506,638 development proposal. If approved, the new outlet will become the 65th in NSW, contributing to the local economy by creating around 100 jobs.

For more detailed insights into the initial plans for the restaurant, visit Mosman Collective’s December 2023 article HERE.