Trader wants compensation over metric change of heart
A trader in Northampton's Market Square is demanding a refund from the Government for the money shelled out for metric scales after it was announced that Brits can keep their imperial system.
Peter Davies, aged 39, manager of Eamonn Fitzpatrick greengrocer's, said the stall had already had to pay out more than 1,000 for scales measuring in kilogrammes after government warnings, and thinks businesses should be compensated for their losses.
He said: "The majority of people, especially elderly people, want things in pounds and ounces, but we had to change our scales.
"I am annoyed they have done this U-turn with all the cost and hassle it has caused us, and all the warnings we have got as a result.
"We would like a refund; they should compensate us."
He added: "The imperial system is a British way of life. McDonald's could still sell quarter-pounders."
The pint, the mile and the ounce are now safe after the European Parliament agreed to exclude them from EU legislation on units of measurement.
Since 1995, goods sold in Europe have had to display metric weights and measurements. But to appease a public outcry in the UK, imperial indications were also allowed, although the concession was to end next year.
But Mick Andreoli, aged 59, from Great Billing, who runs Mick's Fruit Stall in Market Square, said the change would make no difference to him because he works out the measurements according to what the customer asks for.
He said: "What people have to remember is that children are learning in kilogrammes and grammes, so we will still have to deal with it.
"I haven't found that people are that bothered. Elderly people have had it all before with decimalisation. It's only a few traders who want to be a bit funny and think if they say they are being patriotic they will get a few extra customers."
East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer said: "Consumers should be able to buy in the measurement of their choice.
"The British government has rightly announced it will take a more balanced approach towards traders who want to sell by the bowl or by the pound, but ministers cannot claim to have led the campaign for a consumer's right to choose imperial measures."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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