Petition to save burger van forced out of Peterborough industrial estate

The Peterborough Telegraph reported last week that Cafer Koc, who lives in Fellowes Gardens, Fletton, with 12-year-old daughter Nazimye, had to leave Ivatt Way in Westwood after his lease was terminated.

Mr Koc, whose Uncle Jeffs business has a five star food hygiene rating, was being forced to leave after traffic and parking concerns were raised at the industrial estate, although he disputes that his burger van had anything to do with them.

The 42-year-old Turkish national has lived in Peterborough for 18 years and was upset at losing his business, claiming that it will hugely affect his livelihood.

In response Sean Harris, a director at Ivatt Way Management Ltd, told the PT: “For several months we had complaints from numerous members saying the burger van was attracting a lot of visitors from outside of the estate and that the parking was causing congestion and limiting parking spaces.

“There was a particular complaint from a member who had a lorry park across their gates and refused to leave until they had finished their food.”

He added that at the 2017 AGM it was voted that Mr Koc leave the premises, with the vendor given 90 days’ notice.

But he said Mr Koc refused to depart, so an Extraordinary General Meeting was held where it was decided by 19 votes to six that he leave.

After reading the PT’s article a petition was set up by an “outraged” Christopher Booth on the Change.org website.

Headlined ‘Allow Uncle Jeff to continue trading’, he wrote: “If a business is so popular that it causes traffic and parking issues then the answer should not be to shut it down! Rather the landlord, business and customers should work together to deliver a resolution best for everyone.

“Not only is Uncle Jeff’s the best, most delicious and cleanest burger van within five miles of my workplace, Jeff himself is an upstanding member of the community with both a young family and staff.”

The petition has so far been signed by 67 people.