Mo’s Kebab will continue to trade in one of its locations despite ‘significant concerns’ being previously found at its business.
The business had applied to renew its street trading licence at Knowl Hill lay by, Bath Road earlier this month.
It comes after it was ordered to shut its operation at Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, after ‘significant concerns’ were raised about the ‘validity’ of the business.
While the application was made under Mr Jan Ratip’s name, licensing officers said they had never interacted with him and rather had been in contact with assistant to the business, Muhammed Alpar.
Thames Valley Police had asked Mr Alpar to be removed from the business after he became a suspect in an ‘affray’ at the Turkish Mangal on Northumberland Avenue, Reading.
The force suggested this incident was ‘business related’ due to its proximity to the Woodlands Avenue site.
During a sub-committee hearing in December, it came to light that Ms Yulia Biysembaeva, assistant to Mr Ratip, had filled out the application and put her own address – where Mr Alpar also resides as her partner.
This caused licensing officers to deem the application ‘invalid’ as information was not correct.
Now, Miss Biysembaeva has applied to renew another licence for Mo’s Kebab at Knowl Hill Layby, Bath Road, Knowl Hill.
She has said this van is also called Mo’s Kebab for ‘purely marketing purposes’ and is a separate business to her partner.
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’.
The home address on the application is the same as the address of the alleged affray, licensing officers added.
In response, Miss Biysembaeva has said the refusal for street trading consent in Woodley was ‘based on incorrect information which can be clarified’. She said this should not affect the renewal of this separate license.
After a sub-committee panel hearing on January 20, councillors decided to renew the street trading license at Knowl Hill for six months subject to conditions.
These include Ms Biysembaeva’s name being put on the fire safety certificate and updated gas safety certificate, as well as all other relevant documents and bills.
Failure to comply with these conditions will result in the licence being revoked.
