A kebab van could be ordered to shut after staff members became suspects of an ‘affray’ taking place at a nearby rival takeaway.
Mr Jan Ratip has applied for a renewal of a street trading licence for Mo’s Kebab at Woodlands Avenue Layby in Woodley.
His staff members Mr Muhammed Alpar and Mr Ozan Uyar are now being investigated for being involved in group fighting at Turkish Mangal on Northumberland Avenue, Reading.
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that due to the proximity of the takeaway restaurant ‘suggests that this violence is business related’, and that Mr Alpar could be involved at both businesses.
The force has asked both men to be removed from the business until the investigation has finished.
Wokingham Borough Council officers have also been contacted by a member of the public with a ‘civil dispute’ with Mr Alpar.
This member of the public, who has not been named, said they took over the business on September 16 this year.
A further member of the public has given details of a ‘civil dispute’ concerning Mr Alpar, which suggests he has ‘considerable involvement’ with the street trading business.
They said they purchased it off Mr Alpar and had already paid £18,000, with the rest of the money payed once the licence was put in their name, on November 14.
The individual wrote in an email to Wokingham Borough Council: “When I’ve received the van I’ve never, never seen such dirty conditions. It took over a week, all my five sisters cleaning and scrubbing it and all machines not working. So, I don’t even know how they were selling food there.”
Both representations together ‘raise serious concerns over the fitness and propriety of this business to continue to benefit’ from street trading within the Wokingham Borough, according to a licencing report.
A committee of councillors will decide on the future of the takeaway at a meeting on Monday, December 16.
The licensing report says that members of the Licensing and Appeals sub-committee must ‘consider firmer action’ on the case.
Operational hours applied for are 3pm to 1am on Sunday to Thursday and 3pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Factors to be considered by the application include the impact on surrounding roads, residents and businesses, the nature of the trade, trading times, appearance and impact upon the street scene.
