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Families living near a corner shop report being tormented by an ‘annoying and obnoxious’ doorbell that rings up to 58 times an hour – as the council’s environmental health department investigates


Families living near a corner shop report being tormented by an ‘annoying and obnoxious’ doorbell that rings up to 58 times an hour – as the council’s environmental health department investigates

Families living near a corner shop are considering moving to escape an “annoying and horrible” doorbell that is said to be “driving them crazy.”

A dispute arises between the residents of the Isle of Wight and the Prime Minister of Totland because they believe that the “intrusive sound” of the shop bell is disrupting their daily lives.

Some say the noise is like an unwanted alarm waking them up as early as 6am, while others claim the sound of the door slamming is like “someone playing drums in the back garden at 2am”.

Ashley Yeo, 64, who lives nearby, said: “We understand that commercial sounds are a must. That doesn’t bother us.”

“We complain about the intrusive noise that disrupts our daily lives between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Families living near a corner shop report being tormented by an ‘annoying and obnoxious’ doorbell that rings up to 58 times an hour – as the council’s environmental health department investigates

Pictured: Phil Yates 64, Ashley Yeo 64 and Angela Critoph 62 look at the Premier Shop

The Prime Minister in Totland has reduced the volume of the doorbell since the complaints

The Prime Minister in Totland has reduced the volume of the doorbell since the complaints

“We want the noise to stay in the workshop so we don’t have to hear it.”

A spokesman for the store said he had already rejected the offer and could “do nothing further.”

The store employee added that the ringing is necessary because it alerts staff who may be in the back storage area when customers enter the store.

While neighbors admit that the bell has been turned down, some still claim that it is still “too loud.”

They say an environmental officer from the city council was on site with recording equipment.

Phil Yates, 64, said he was asked by the city council to keep track of how often the signal sounded. One day, he said, it sounded 58 times in an hour.

He said: “There was no flow of people coming and going, it was just the opening and closing of the door.”

“It’s like someone playing drums in the back garden at 2 a.m. – it drives you crazy.”

Mr Yates, who suffers from tinnitus, said the condition had driven him so “crazy” that he had even considered moving house.

Angela Critoph, 62, said: “The worst thing for me is first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening.”

Some residents say they are considering moving to avoid the “intrusive” ringing

Some residents say they are considering moving to avoid the “intrusive” ringing

Isle of Wight Council confirmed that the environmental health team had received complaints (pictured is the interior of the corner shop)

Isle of Wight Council confirmed that the environmental health team had received complaints (pictured is the interior of the corner shop)

“I don’t know why they need a warning for such a small shop, but that’s their decision.”

Isle of Wight Council confirmed that the environmental health team had received complaints.

“They are conducting investigations,” a spokesman said.

The issue has sparked debate among locals, with one writing in the comments section of the Isle of Wight County Press: “I live opposite the shop and it was very loud and disruptive. Now that it has been turned down it seems to be better.”

Another said: “58 times in one hour, that’s excessive. Even I wouldn’t want to live with that.”

Others, however, had less understanding for the residents. One even dismissed the issue as a “first world problem.”

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