A York restaurateur, forced to delay the launch of his new business because of neighbouring construction work, has been stunned by the building firm's response to his complaints.

David Raikes has been running the Rubicon Restaurant in Little Stonegate as a new vegetarian venture since he bought the business on April 1.

But his plans for a £20,000 revamp and an official opening have had to be put on hold because the restaurant is surrounded by scaffolding and has been affected by noise and dust.

Building firm John Mowlem & Co is working on a retail development site in Davygate, which backs on to Little Stonegate and surrounds Mr Raikes' business.

He said: "When I bought the business I accepted there would be a bit of inconvenience but I am annoyed that they haven't kept me informed. I had expected work to finish about a month ago, but I think they now have an extension."

On two separate days he was forced to close when dust caused by unannounced sandblasting at the site filled the restaurant.

After Mr Raikes complained to the site manager he was visited by Mowlem's contracts manager.

He said: "He basically told me I didn't have a leg to stand on."

Mr Raikes telephoned Mowlem's regional director, Colin Critchlow.

He was unavailable, so Mr Raikes complained to his secretary.

He was amazed to then receive a letter from Mr Critchlow which said he was concerned about Mr Raikes's attitude and in it called for "rational dialogue".

He said the scaffolding was covered by a legal agreement, that Mr Raikes was aware of the work when he bought the business and that there had been an agreement to pay the cleaning costs of the previous owner.

Mr Raikes said: "I am just asking to be treated with a bit of respect."

John Burnett, Mowlem's regional managing director, said: "We are sorry if Mr Raikes has been caused any inconvenience by work being carried out at our Davygate site.

The site is in the heart of the busy tourism and shopping area of the city and therefore has many logistical and technical problems to overcome."

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