Thank you from award-winning kebab van: Thame is a "family"
More than 2,000 people signed a petition to save Atalay's at the weekend
Last updated 19th Oct 2020
After more than 2,000 people signed a petition to save an award-winning kebab van in Thame, the owner wants to thank the community for their support.
Atalay's was visited by South Oxfordshire District Council on Friday night (16th Oct) who told them they didn't have the right street trading consent and had to close.
They have been trading from the same spot for 32-years.
Thame Town Council and SODC opened specifically on Saturday (17th Oct) for a meeting so they could resolve the issue.
Within this time a petition had been started more than 2,000 people had signed it in 24-hours.
Signatures have now reached 2,673 and you can sign it here.
After the meeting on Saturday (17th Oct) Atalay's was given permission to continue trading but will still have to apply for the right license.
Owner Resul Atalay told Greatest Hits Radio the support they have received never ceases to amaze him:
"So many people phoned me up, so many people offered their parking spaces.
"It's nice that people actually appreciate you and support you.
"In Thame, we're like a family there you know, they always stood up for me 25-30 years ago and they have done it again."
Resul added that he's worried if this happens to an even smaller business it could be really detrimental:
"We are a small business, it happened to me but I have good followers.
"But, what if it happened to somebody in the layby, the guy is trying to make a living, how is he going to get heard? That would have been gone."
"Thanks to everybody a million, million times for their support, not just from me but from all my family."
Statement from South Oxfordshire District Council
"South Oxfordshire District Council is not asking Atalays Kebab van in Thame to stop trading or to close with immediate effect.
"Officers from the council recently visited the outlet as part of their normal work and identified that an on street trading consent was not in place. The proprietor confirmed that to be the case.
"Officers explained to the proprietor that in order to trade there had to be appropriate permission and authority. In addition the officers also explained that the proprietor should ensure that any required insurances and health and safety requirements are valid without a street trading consent.
"An application for a street trading consent has now been received and is currently being processed."