Banned from bellowing...a market trader called Bellows!
A MARKET trader in an upmarket town has been banned from shouting about his wares – after his traditional calls sparked a noise complaint.
Wayne Bellows' family have been selling fruit and vegetables at the market in Lymington, Hampshire, for 80 years without issue. So he was shocked to be told by officials he was now deemed too noisy.
The Saturday market in Lymington, where some houses fetch up to £4million, dates back to medieval times.
Mr Bellows's loudest shout has been measured at 111 decibels – about the same volume as a chainsaw.
After receiving a complaint, Lymington and Pennington Town Council instructed him to bellow only from lunchtime onwards. But it then told him to stop shouting altogether.
Mr Bellows, 53, of nearby Totton, has been touting his produce there for 35 years.
He said: “The market has been there for hundreds of years and now someone moves into the High Street and decides they do not like the noise. If I can't shout then I can't sell.”
A council spokeswoman said market rules ban traders from making a noise nuisance.
Personal trainer Jane Poecock, 53, of Lymington, said: “If you don't like it, you shouldn't have bought a house on the high street, which is well known for being loud and energetic.”
But shop worker Ross Gibbons, 20, of Lymington, disagreed. He said: “He's not funny, he's just annoying.
“I'm so happy that he has been given a gagging order. I can work in peace now.”