Christmas houses: Hull's Falcon Kebabs shop shines bright to bring festive cheer to customers

IT IS a beacon for late-night revellers all year round.

But in early December, the shopfront of Falcon's Kebabs in Beverley High Road shines brighter than ever.

Owner Huseyin Sahin decks out his business with hundreds of Christmas lights outside and in.

"I put them up every year," he said.

"It looks nice and shows the shop at its best as well.

"Everyone is feeling Christmassy and it helps bring out the feeling of Christmas for people."

Mr Sahin has run the kebab shop for almost 27 years.

It has a loyal following of customers.

"Some of the people who used to come into the shop as students are in London now," he said.

"When they come back to Hull, straight away they come into the shop. Some even come from Canada.

"There's a group who meet in Hull once a year and at the end of the night they always come into the shop."

With such close ties to his customers, Mr Sahin cannot afford to be even one day late with the lights.

He aims to get them up on December 1 every year.

"Before December, customers come in and ask us if we're putting them up," Mr Sahin said.

"Sometimes I put them up on December 4 and some of the regulars will ask why we're late."

The lights always attract attention.

"Young children, especially, come round and start laughing and enjoying it," Mr Sahin said.

"It's so nice to see."

They rarely order a kebab and chips but Mr Sahin keeps a jar of sweets inside to give out to youngsters.

"They often come and ask for the lollies I have in the shop," he said.

It takes him between three and five days to put everything up.

"I put lights out from top to bottom, inside and out,"Mr Sahin said.

"It's difficult. I start putting them up during the day, so I'm not doing it in opening hours."

The display outside dominates Falcon's Kebabs from the ground floor to the tip of its pointed roof.

It features two Christmas trees, stars and a band of flashing lights running round the whole edge of the building.

"I like the flashing ones around the roof," Mr Sahin said.

"They're my favourite but all the lights are nice to see.

"There are many others inside. I've got a big Santa in the shop.

"When they see it, some people start dancing and singing."

The owner was celebrating earlier this week after discovering his business had been awarded top marks for hygiene for the fourth year running.

Hull City Council awarded the highest score possible for Falcon's food hygiene, giving it a five out of five during a recent visit.

Mr Sahin said: "We take our business very seriously and want to provide the best service possible for our customers, in all aspects."

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