An elderly shopkeeper has launched an administrative action to stop his street address from being shared by three other units, reports Beijing Evening News.

Zhaochang, 74, has run his small store for 20 years in the Dongcheng District. The store's address is 108, Jiaodaokou Southern Street.

But 13 years ago a residential complex was built flush to the store's south wall and three additional stores were opened on the ground floor next to his.

All three shops then attached number plates with the same address as Zhaochang's.

The elderly man has been continually frustrated by mail mix-ups and delivery people getting the four stores confused.

After years of negotiations mediated by both the local police station and government, two stores removed their 108 door plates and replaced them with "No 43, Dongwang Hutong" two months ago. But the other store refuses to budge.

Zhaochang has resorted to legal action, demanding that the remaining store change its number as well as offer a formal apology.

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