A Kebab van business which had its licence revoked after officers raised ‘significant concerns’ to councillors is bidding for a new location.
Muhammet Alpar has applied to renew his street trading licence at the lay-by at Milestone Avenue in Charvil.
Operating as Mo’s Kebab, the same business lost its licence to operate in Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, after an extraordinary licensing committee meeting in December.
The application was made by Mr Jan Ratip, with Mr Alpar instead listed as an assistant to the business which has been operating since 2001.
But concerns were raised by licensing officers who said they had never interacted with Mr Ratip, and instead had been in more contact with Mr Alpar.
Thames Valley Police said Mr Alpar and Mr Ozan Uyar were suspects in an ‘affray’ at Turkish Mangal on Northumberland Avenue, Reading.
The force said that due to the proximity of the restaurant to the site of the van, the violence could be ‘business related’, and that Mr Alpar could be involved at both enterprises.
Mr Adonis Daniel, representing Mr Ratip at the panel on December 16, told members that Mr Alpar had been completely removed from the business. But officers said Mr Alpar seemed ‘quite strongly involved’, and said CCTV from the council office building showed Mr Alpar had tried to attend the meeting.
In January, a further application was made by Miss Yulia Biysembaeva, partner to Mr Alpar, for a renewal licence at Knowl Hill Layby, Bath Road. She has said this van is also called Mo’s Kebab for ‘purely marketing purposes’ and is a separate business to her partner’s. But licensing officers said the pitch is ‘not being used’ properly after three visits to the site between October and November 2024. On one occasion, the van was seen at the pitch but was not open.
Licensing officer Kieran Hinchcliffe said the application could be an attempt to ‘circumvent’ rules around street consent.
Insurance details provided also included Mr Alpar and Mr Ratip, which officers said ‘strongly indicates that Mr Alpar remains involved in the business operations’.
After a subcommittee panel hearing on January 20, councillors decided to renew the street trading license at Knowl Hill for six months subject to conditions.
Now, Mr Alpar has applied himself for a street trading renewal at Milestone Avenue in Charvil.
This would be to operate between 4pm to 12:30am on Sundays to Thursdays, and 4pm until 2am on Friday and Saturday.
Residents and local authorities including the Thames Valley Police and Berkshire Fire and Rescue can make representations until April 15.
