HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition to save an Orchard Park takeaway that has been serving customers for almost 30 years.
Khan Koc, 38, of west Hull, has run Kings Takeaway for 21 of its 27 years.
But he says he may be forced off the estate in a row over the price of leases at the new Orchard Park shopping centre.
Last April, Kings was moved out of the old centre, off Orchard Park Road, which has since been demolished, and into temporary premises.
Mr Koc was given a temporary lease on a site in nearby Ashton Close, where he turned three containers into a fully functioning takeaway.
The new shop has since been awarded the highest hygiene rating by inspectors.
However, last month, Mr Koc says the council told him to move into the new shopping centre.
He said: "They expected me to move back, but I can't financially afford to do this.
"It is a massive set-up. Our business is like a McDonald's, not a burger van."
Mr Koc said he felt the rent being charged on the units at the new centre was too high.
He said: "The council should only charge people what they can afford to pay.
"I said I couldn't afford to move, so I didn't sign the lease."
He pleaded with the council to extend his temporary lease, but it has ruled the land in Ashton Close is to be turned into a car park for local sports clubs.
Mr Koc said he had offered to buy or rent the land.
But in a letter from David Bennett, of Hull City Council, Mr Koc was told: "The council cannot agree to extend your lease. This would raise legal issues for the council and prevent the site being returned to car parking by local sports clubs, pending permanent redevelopment proposals.
"The council and its estate managers NPS Humber Limited would like to support you in exploring the availability of suitable vacant premises in the north Hull area, within the council's commercial portfolio or from private landlords."
Mr Koc started a petition last week, which has been signed by more than 300 people.
He said: "At the end of the day, it is north Hull and I know the people inside out.
"When I took on the lease, I committed myself to the community. We sponsored charities and we go to birthdays and funerals.
"I feel the community is behind me and this shows you what people think about Kings.
"All this glorifying of the new shopping centre is wrong.
"It's exactly the same kind of set-up as was already there. "The council has spent £5.5m, but we still don't have a fresh food and veg shop."
A spokesman for Hull City Council said: "While we cannot comment on the individual circumstances surrounding Mr Koc's case, we can confirm we are working with him to see how we can respond to his situation."
Shopping centre to be ready by springTHE construction of the new £5.5m Orchard Park shopping centre should be completed by spring, according to developer Cityheart.
The 11-unit centre is being built on the site of its predecessor, which was originally built the 1960s.
New shops in the centre will include a takeaway, discount store, two charity shops and a bakery.
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