An enquiry's been urged to help struggling Broadway traders

Since Epping Forest Shopping Park opened on Langston Road, Debden at the end of last year, shop owners on the nearby Broadway have seen a marked downturn in trade, taking in as much as £2,000 less a month than last year.

Two weeks ago director of neighbourhoods and acting chief executive of Epping Forest District Council, Derek Macnab, announced an economic assessment of the road would be carried out at the end of 2018.

For many of the traders struggling to pay off recently increased rents, this might not be soon enough.

As a result, Peter Ralph, secretary of the Epping Forest Green and Democratic Left, has urged the council to act now.

He said: "I propose that an accountable and publicised overview is carried out post-haste by EFDC to rectify the shambles that are affecting the Broadway and threatens its very existence as a potential vibrant, friendly social centre.

"Due to the unfair and highly subsidised competition being posed by the recently opened shopping mall in Langston Road, The Broadway is now facing financial flak.

"The new mall is being heavily subsidised by EFDC by awarding the stores there two to three years rent holidays plus free car parking for their customers.

"This is compared with the treatment of the Broadway traders whose rents are, apparently, to rise out of all proportion.

"Loughtonians do not want to see empty-shops and doom ridden no-man's land develop in The Broadway as has happened in other traditional shopping centres - or has the council got other plans?"

The council resisted the calls, confirming that an assessment would take place at the end of the year instead.

Mr Macnab said: "The Shopping Park is not yet fully operational, with three of the 11 units currently vacant. Negotiations are taking place with a number of prospective tenants.

"Therefore, it makes sense to undertake the new impact assessment when the Park has been fully operational for at least six to nine months i.e. towards the end of 2018."