A Turkish street food van has been told it must stop trading from its regular pitch in Palmeira Square.
The Babacan Tantuni van has been pitched up outside Palmeira Mansions for several months, selling wraps filled with tantuni, a Turkish chopped meat.
But after receiving complaints, Brighton and Hove City Council has issued it with an enforcement notice, requiring it to stop using the pitch to sell hot food and to move the van any any other equipment off it.
The owner of the van, Urfan Yapici, says he now intends to appeal the notice.
He said: “The council visited me and gave me a notice which was defective as it had paragraphs missing from it. I have pointed this out to them in writing which they have ignored
“The two parking spaces I rent are on a private roadway which is not owned by the council. I have again notified this to the council several times which they have also ignored.
“When the officer visited the site, she spoke to my colleague who works in the unit. He asked why she was telling us to shut when the flower stand is was operating over the road on public highway to which she replied ‘It’s okay I have known them for years.’
“This has made me think there is more to this and feel we are being treated differently because of where we are from.
“I am fully compliant with all necessary licences and training to run this hospitality unit, but since all of this has happened I have now shut the mobile unit due to stress and will only re open when the council stop harassing me.”
A council spokesperson said: “We have issued an enforcement notice in relation to this trailer as it is unlawfully situated.
“It also follows a number of complaints from nearby residents that the operations of this trailer are affecting their quality of life.
“With possible legal action pending we cannot comment further at this stage. The owner of the trailer has the option of appealing against the notice if he so wishes.
“If he has concerns about how individual council staff have dealt with him, he is entitled to make a formal complaint. This would be fully investigated.
“We always endeavour to apply licensing and enforcement procedures consistently and fairly in accordance with national guidelines.
“We have pledged to be an anti-racist council. Racism is abhorrent, and we would be extremely concerned about any accusations of racism guiding any of our actions.
“As part of our formal complaints process we would investigate any such claims carefully.”
A sign on the van says it was set up in memory of Mr Yapici’s late father Dogan. it says he was known for calling everyone Babacan.
It adds: “He loved his food and left us too soon. We wanted to remember him in a way which he would have loved, hence Babacan Tantuni was created.”
The enforcement notice was issued on 15 May, and gave Mr Yapici until 5 July to move the van off the pitch.
I do not see why he mentions the flower stand. Flowers have scent; the food stall smells. Or, as calls it, “hospitality unit” (such mangling of the language deserves a custodial sentence).
I was surprised when I first saw the van . I thought that can’t be legal because getting a permit to sell food is controlled and I don’t imagine the residents of Palmeira Mansions are too happy.
I’m really surprised it’s lasted so long if I was a nearby take-away I’d wonder why I was paying business rates.
Here we go again. Another one playing the race card. I would boycott it just because of that.
This place has been there for nearly a year. I go there every other day. Great food and excellent customer service. Everyone I know that’s been there has nothing but good to say about the owner and staff…I think the council will come unstuck as it’s private land.
I have never visited here but by some of the comments it looks like I’ve been missing out! It’s my understanding that if your on private property it’s exactly that PRIVATE. The business seems to conform with food safety. There is no record of mess or even noise. I’ve checked their opening times and it’s 12-8pm which seems very reasonable. I do see other food vans operating on private property and have been for years with no issues? These are burgers sausages etc not Turkish Street Food. From a non customer point of view I think the van is well within the law. Good job Babacan team…
This van should be allowed to stay – what is there to complain about? Fresh food, cooked and served with a friendly smile. This is a small family business in operation, I’ve never seen them cause any kind of disturbance. It’s nice to have some cheaper fresh food options in an area known for expensive dining.
Disgusting that he’s saying it’s racist. I would boycott it just because of that.
Babacan Tantuni have not done anything but serve a great purpose and should 100 percent be left alone in carrying on with their business for a valuable reason. They have not taken anyone’s land they pay for it and have the licence for it or stealing anyone’s anything – working honourable family business. Throughout the pandemic they have been working relentlessly helping working class people for lovely economical meals! Just stop always picking a fight on the smaller businesses and the rest of you on here just stop being so abusive regarding the Racial card as it’s nothing more but this! Suddenly after a whole year they want it up the land ! I think Ufuk Yapici has the right of space and council need to come to an agreement.
They do fresh, delicious food for a very reasonable price. This must be disturb someone…It is an alternative food stall between expensive Palmeira restaurants. They open late and close early, they are not “late night takeaway” shop. In my opinion, it should stay in that place.
Are you mad!? I’ve driven 40miles to get 3 wraps from this lovely stall, leave it alone.
I would add leave people alone that are trying to make a living with rights in legality – paying for their space and not for free – your little studies without knowing the true story and biased comments is zero tolerated – their are jealous Imbeciles who need to get a grip and all yous who are talking out of grudge and jealousy – your just a sheep of society the journalist who wrote this who is against the party who is a product of their news feed has a problem within their self centred life has censored information – reporting the party who is actually the main man !who works hard and hasn’t appeared from no where Willy nilly- this is Just like normal social media genre – just someone who needs a-bit of attention – who deffo needs to keep their judgements and opinions to themselves. However who has publicised unnecessarily untrue statements. Regardless I ask everyone to actually think this carefully a business to run for a whole year and then get told your not allowed to be here – by the way only realised is not the way to deal with it. Please stand with these people who are now vulnerable and had to shut their doors to their customers has now not only disturbed business owners but customs – people come from everywhere to visit them! Council needs to acknowledge these factors and literally have to leave them alone their actually adds to an environment not cause disturbances! This stuff pisses me off ! Please be true to yourselves and allow them their rights that they desever nothing else is asked of you! 🙏🏻
Love Babacun. I’ve have many a great lunch from that food van. I dont understand why anyone would complain? they’re not loud. It doesn’t stink and they’re parked in bays that they pay.
Some people just like to moan about others doing well.
Keep on keeping on Baba team. Much love x
If the smell was issue, sorry but what about all other restaurants with grills and pizza ovens just around? there is always food smells come
through those restaurants around that area, i never understand people really!!!!
Those people were providing lovely food with caring environment. every-time i go there, or pass by they are quietly doing their job and always you find clean around the van !
This is racist. This happened with Abra Kebabra outside hove town hall. KLM. Kebab lives matter. I am going to take to the knee outside the council office if this isn’t sorted. We should be clapping these guys for providing a service during a pandemic.
“hospitality unit” is what the term that the Council and Govt use, btw. CRT would applaud the analysis that it is the smell of the kebabs that drives the closure of the unit and the racism, and a bit of classism, is the motive.
The taking-over of public space for commercial use is the background.
Love the foot at babacan, leave it alone its causing nobody any harm its not on the road and doesn’t cause traffic and I haven’t smelt it when walking past
“One lousy foot, they call you a cannibal…”
(quotation from movie, Airplane!).
Seems to fit that typo…
I really believe most of your comments are discusting and obviously been written by a bunch of racists. The point is not that his pulling the racist card! Your probably a racist for even going there.
The point is, this is a man thats grafted to please his customers and build his business a good reputation. I can not understand why this was never a problem before but now its turned into a problem. Horrific that the flower stand is basically let off because they know them. These guys deserve justice!
*you’re probably a racist
Why didnt they get planning permission . .
Think I’ll set up a foodhut outside my home !!
The owner of the food van refers to the flower stand next to St Johns Church being allowed to operate. The difference is that the flower stand is on a public highway and permission has been obtained to trade there; Mr Yapici’s van is on a private roadway and he, apparently, did not seek permission. There is very likely a clause in the lease of the flats forbidding the carrying out of business on the private roadway. The van is also blocking access for emergency vehicles. You can’t just park up on private land and set up a business without following due process.
Very good point. But how council didn’t notice that they don’t have a permission for a year, for food van on Palmeira Square? I think council needs to be questioned how did they let this happen.
babacan has the best kebabs in brighton, & you’re always served with a genuine smile. don’t understand why people are trying to say it ‘affects their quality of life’, but judging from some of the comments left by trolls & karens i can think of a reason…
People are racist. We should encourage BAME staff to run business. If this was a white skinhead from Portslade he would be allowed to do it. Racists.
You just can’t open a stall and start selling food to the public private land or not food hygiene is a major issue for the council certification has to be issued for a start do they have one from the council ? There are strict guidelines in place when you start selling food to the general public
These food trucks have the potential to provide unfair competition to bricks and mortar catering outlets, and folks should remember that. The fact the truck is, or might be, parked on private land is irrelevant. It is a public place as the public have access to it and street trading rules apply. The comparison with a flower stall is ridiculous as hot food (a) makes a smell, (b) creates noise, (c) causes people to form a queue at the truck while the food is being cooked, (d) has greater potential to create litter, and (e) takes up more space. As for the claim that the enforcement is because of where the vendor is from, that is pretty low.
I believe this is a private space for cars of business and residents of that strip. They pay a lot for that right. I remember one saying to me in park they were paying to get it fixed up 5 or 6 years ago. It was full of untaxed dumped cars.
It’s also a beautiful row of listed buildings in conservation area ….It even attracts tourists .
There’s a place for everything and where it is, isn’t the place.
People are also coming and going all day in cars and dodging people stood in middle off the road.
Propane Gas bottles outside residential properties is a no no! The smell , food hygiene , vermin and noise of people chatting and not to mention the blocking of daylight to flats Must be a huge problem I’d imagine.
The vendor seems a nice guy so why not take over a shop on Western Rd ? He can contribute to the resurgence of the UK economy post COVID by paying taxes and business rent/rates like everybody else. . I’m sure all the people who support him will go support his new business.
Those complaining on here who think it’s ok to have a food bar pull up outside their homes should invite him onto THEIR driveway or into their back garden. I may even pop over.
The fact some people on here are throwing out the race card is beyond a joke. The council got this one right.