Coss Cutter Supermarket has denied a claim by residents that it is causing a noise nuisance on Sheriff Street.
Amardat Persaud, the Managing Director of Coss Cutter Supermarket, responding to an article about noise pollution in yesterday’s Stabroek News was emphatic, “We do not have any tables and chairs and do not play music outside on the terrace and never had.” The supermarket, Persaud said, opens from7:30 am and closes at 9 pm. Persaud also said he received a call from the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] yesterday morning following the publication of the article.
When Stabroek News visited the business yesterday at 11 am, there was a music system inside the supermarket playing moderately, no tables and chairs were seen on the terrace neither was there any music being played on the terrace/car park of the supermarket. The business comprises a supermarket, a car park, restaurant and warehouse.
Persaud said back in 2020, “We (Coss Cutter Supermarket) used to have live Christmas Carols and we had to stop that because of complaints made by a particular resident and the fact that we don’t want trouble.” Persaud said that he found the accusation against his business ‘outrageous’ and said that the resident is just trying to paint his company negatively. Responding to what residents told Stabroek News, that Coss Cutter Supermarket has had a habit of placing tables and chairs at nights out in an open terrace and playing loud music, Persaud was adamant that Coss Cutter does not place chairs and table in the open and play loud music. He remarked, “We never had chairs and table outside unless we have a promotion.” He explained that promotions are usually held inside the supermarket once a month where companies come to promote their products.
He said a promotional arrangement usually includes a table within the supermarket to showcase items to customers but no music is involved. “The promotion has nothing to do with music, it has to do with you (the customer) come to buy something and you get to taste a new product… the customer can taste it, it has nothing to do with music,” he clarified. Coss Cutter Supermarket and Restaurant has been operating in the same space since 2019.
Persaud pointed out several establishments near the supermarket that are fit for the entertainment industry but have nothing to do with his business.
He pointed across the road from the supermarket where tables and chairs were set in the open environment but said, “That has nothing to do with us”. Also, he explained that on Saturday nights there is a Chinese place situated not far from his supermarket that plays music. Once again, he said, “That has nothing to do with the Supermarket.” Persaud pointed out that the supermarket has a small radio located inside where the news and other select programmes are aired at a moderate volume.
