They do not like it: Bridlington traders go to war with Dad’s Army filmmakers

Businesses in the resort launched an assault against the production company behind the film adaptation of the TV sitcom. They want to capture a compensation payout for loss of business during shooting in November.

The production company paid shopkeepers for use of their premises, but have gone back on an indication from production staff they would be compensated for loss of business.

Michael Lawrence, who owns an antique shop in the affected area of Bridlington, said the operation had forced his wife to move out of the area while she recovered from cancer.

He said: “I didn’t want to upset the filming so I haven’t spoken about it until now.

“I spoke to a senior member of the film crew who told me he would look after me. He had originally told me my home would only be affected between the period of the 13th - November and the 18th of November.

“He then came back to me with a contract which stated work would actually take place between 6 and 24 November.

“When I asked him why the dates had changed he indicated it was so they could start any painting on the front of my building and would not affect my business.

“But the next day on the 6th of November, workmen came straight into my house and said they needed to begin working.

“They said the contract actually started on the 6th and I didn’t want to interfere so they began to pack everything up into boxes, including my valuable antiques.

“I had also agreed with the location manager that no drilling should be done to the outside of my house. He said they would use a form of ‘Blu-tak’ to fix signs and props to the outside, but they drilled holes anyway.

“For the first four days the front door was kept wide open which meant we were unable to keep my home warm. My wife had to leave and stay with relatives in Liverpool while she was recovering with cancer.”

Mr Lawrence also said the film crew broke the handle of high highly valuable antique Victorian foot bath.

Another local business owner, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The Dad’s Army people came along with a representative. We are only a small business and our claim was only for £600 which was very reasonable.”

A co-producer for Dad’s Army said in a letter addressed to affected businesses on 17 December that the production company, DA Productions, was not in a position to pay beyond what had been contractually agreed.

He added: “Loss of trade payments were never part of the operation.”

DA Productions declined to comment.