Fatih Altaylı’s 7 Mehmet outburst: ‘Can Antalya protect its own brands?’
Fatih Altaylı brought to the agenda the claim that 7 Mehmet might leave Antalya due to rent increases. Mehmet Akdağ stated, “There is no possibility of us closing.”
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7 Mehmet, one of Antalya’s long-established gastronomic brands, has returned to the public spotlight following a debate brought to the agenda by journalist Fatih Altaylı regarding claims of high rent increases. Altaylı criticized the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, pointing to the possibility that the establishment, which operates within the Atatürk Cultural Park, might leave the city.
Altaylı stated that the issue should not be viewed merely as a rent dispute or a commercial disagreement. Arguing that a 75-year-old restaurant is significant in terms of Antalya’s memory and brand value, Altaylı expressed that local governments have a responsibility to protect the cultural and gastronomic assets of their cities.
Local governments are obligated to protect the cultural, economic, and gastronomic values of cities. While there are dozens of ordinary businesses in the city, why was no special formula or solution produced to keep a brand that is Antalya’s face to the world in the city?
Altaylı stated that if 7 Mehmet were to leave Antalya, it could continue its operations in Istanbul or another major city, but that the real loss would be felt by Antalya. Summarizing the debate with the question, “Can Antalya protect its own brands?”, Altaylı said that the municipality should make a public and transparent statement.
Following the claims that emerged, Mehmet Akdağ, the latest generation representative of 7 Mehmet, rejected the comments that the restaurant would withdraw from Antalya. Stating, “There is no possibility of us closing,” Akdağ announced that the business in Antalya continues its operations and that they have also opened a new branch in Istanbul.