Metric Martyrs refuse to trade in kilos

REBELLIOUS stallholders across Bromley snubbed Brussels and vowed to keep trading in pounds and ounces and they are being backed by residents.

Their pledge comes after five market traders the so-called metric martyrs lost their High Court battle for the legal right to trade in pounds and ounces.

The appeal court judgment means traders must obey European Union rules and mark up their goods in kilos.

But grocers, butchers and fishmongers in Bromley are refusing to give up the imperial system while they trade in the borough.

Jane Eyres, 33, who works on a fruit-and-vegetable stall in Bromley High Street, said: "Europe should leave us alone. I've been on this stall for 10 months but I've only had four people asking for grams."

Jeffrey Cope, 60, who owns Copes of Bromley Fishmongers, in Widmore Road, said: "We should have a choice of selling in kilos or selling in pounds. It's ridiculous that it's against the law."

Most shoppers in central Bromley are also keen to keep pounds and ounces.

Sylvia Long, 67, of Blackfen Road, Sidcup, said: "We should vote for whether to have pounds.

"Europe is a dictatorship. What's the point in voting for the politicians in Westminster when people in Brussels tell them what to do."

One of the few shoppers in favour of the pound was teacher Martin Conmey.

The 39-year-old, of Sutton Close, Beckenham, said: "Britain has been behind the times for years. Europeans laugh at us for keeping imperial measurements."

Under the rules confirmed by the appeal judges, traders can put an imperial price on their goods as extra information if it is smaller than the metric price.

Bromley Trading Standards has advised stallholders and storekeepers caught breaking the law to get metric scales and to price goods in kilos.

Bill Pearce, weights and measures inspector for Bromley, said formal action against traders was "unlikely" while the possibility remained of the metric martyrs' case being referred to the House of Lords.

However, he admitted "it seems metrication will go ahead".

"It's not illegal for the customer to ask for pounds but it is illegal for the trader to weigh goods in pounds," he added.

Council leader Councillor Michael Tickner said: "People should not be persecuted for using ounces and pounds if their customers are happy.

"I'm against EU interference in our laws and there should be more tolerance from the EU of our British eccentricity."