Look on the bright side.
1.The old guy gets to retire early on a handsome pension.
2.health and safety man gets a handsome pay increase from the local authority for doing such a good job and meeting his objectives
3. A new clock is bought for pence from the local Ratners and provides wealth to its maker in China.
4. Handsome installion fee paid for the new clock to be put in and the old one to be scrapped. Town grinds to a halt while the extensive safety barriers around the scaffolding are put in place. Lots of overtime paid out.
5 I buy the old one for its scrap value and put it in store.
6. In 50 years the council comes to its senses and buys it back off me for a handsome profit and the BBC does an interview with the council leader who says it is really fantastic to get rid of the cheap Chinese clock (which kept perfect time) and replace it with the original piece of engineering. Heritage and all that.
7 Advert placed in local paper for semi retired person to wind clock. David Rees's grandson applies and gets the job, which now pays 800 euros a week with inflation, to keep the family tradition going.

varche