A kebab shop owner who has lived in a Buckinghamshire town for 20 years said local support has helped to carry him through difficult times.

Halil ‘Harry’ Olgar, 45, has owned and operated Zem Kebab on Amersham Road in High Wycombe since 2021 and in that time, has become part of the town’s fabric, counting MPs and local councillors among his regular customers.

Despite his long career, Halil has only recently begun to reap the fruits of his labour, awards-wise at least.

Last year, Zem Kebab scooped the prize for Best Regional Takeaway at the British Kebab Awards 2023 and, after making this year’s shortlist, the 45-year-old is hopeful that it will be the start of a new tradition.

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Halil said: “It makes me happy to get the recognition – I’m proud of my employees and what we do. At the end of the day, it shows that you’re doing something right.

“Last year, we were nominated by around 1,000 customers and this year, I’ve been back in Turkey because I lost my dad, but they kept nominating us.

“It’s just a good thing, and it’s something that gives us the power to go further, especially during what has been a difficult time. Like anyone else, we’re struggling with high energy prices and costs.

“I’ll keep doing my best and we know we have support from councillors and from Steve Baker MP. It’s easy for them to see, after 20 years, how honestly we work and how important the town is to us.”