Traditional butcher banned from chopping meat in the morning after residents complain about the noise.
Brian Clapton, 51, was ordered to stop preparing the meat between 6am and 8am on weekday mornings and 9am on weekends because tenants in flats above his shop were unhappy with the chopping sound early in the morning.
Mr Clapton had run his business, Brian's Meat Store, for 13 years without any problems, until he was told in November 2007 to soundproof the premises or cease slicing in the early hours.
He has now been taken to court for refusing to obey a Barking and Dagenham Council order.
He appeared at Barking Magistrates' Court in Essex on Thursday to face four charges of breaching a noise abatement notice.
Mr Clapton argues that because the council own the freehold of the building, which has been a butcher's shop for 50 years, it is liable for the cost of soundproofing work.
Speaking ahead of the case, Mr Clapton said he had no choice but to prepare meat in the early morning and will be forced to close if he loses his case.
He said: "We start early because we are a traditional butcher's.
"The council has ordered me to soundproof the building but this is their property and I am their tenant so as freeholders they are responsible for making these changes.
"I will not be doing anything but continuing to work hard, pay my taxes and rates and try to earn a honest living."
The noise abatement notice was served after residents living above the shop complained. Landlady Sue Grimble claimed a number of tenants left due to the loud chopping sounds at unsociable hours.
Mr Clapton pleaded not guilty to four counts of breaching a noise abatement order in August.
source
Navigation
Butcher told: ''Your chopping is too loud''
Linear Mode
