TRADERS in Epping claim that the authorities are blocking their attempts to boost business on the High Street as the biggest shopping centre in Europe threatens to drain their customers from them.
The Epping Town Centre Partnership, which campaigns on behalf of businesses and traders in Epping town centre, recently proposed a raft of initiatives to boost flagging trade in the High Street and raise its profile.
These include starting a series of weekend speciality markets, such as an Italian food market, a crafts market and an antiques fair, where local artisans and cooks could showcase their talents and allow High Street businesses to profit from increased passing trade.
The plans, however, were rejected by Epping Town Council, who argued that medieval regulation only allowed for one market to take place a week, on Mondays.
In the Middle Ages the monarchy passed legislation stating that towns needed a Royal Charter, or special dispensation to be allowed to hold markets.
It is believed that Epping's market has been held on a Monday since 1253.
Traders believe that with the giant Westfield Stratford City shopping centre due to open on September 13 a few tubes stops from Epping in east London, urgent action is needed to prevent a further loss of custom.
Barry Seager, of the Epping Town centre Partnership, said: “They won’t let us come up with any ideas. Everything we try to do is blocked.
“The best people to have involved organising these events are the traders. We need plans to revitalise the High Street or people will just get on the tube and go down to the Westfield Centre.
“The town council run Epping Day and the Christmas Market but won’t have any input from us.”
Karen Thake, 52, runs the Cook quality ready meals shop in the High Street.
She said: “When the law was put in place it was probably there to protect traders but now I think it needs to be reviewed.
"We need to raise the profile of Epping. I think that it would be great to have weekend markets. Anything that helps local business is a good thing."
Sue Olateru, 44, works in Lanes clothing shop on the High Steet.
She said: "I would certainly welcome more people coming to Epping.
"I think the old law needs to be revised."
Barbara Ford, ran Andersons Bakery on the High Street until two years ago and has since campaigned for measures to boost trade in Epping.
She said: “We want to bring back community support for local businesses and they will not let us do that.
“A lot of traders now do not see any point in getting involved because they are pushed out."
Bob Whittome, of Epping Town Council, said: “If business owners or traders have ideas that they think will raise the shopping profile of Epping the town council will be very interested to hear about them as long as they are viable and does not damage the Monday market.
“The town council is obliged by the Royal Charter to protect the Monday market. Speciality food markets might interfere with the Monday market. It would be foolish to shoot the town in the foot and take all of the trade from the Monday market.”
Westfield Stratford City factfile
Westfield Stratford City is the largest urban shopping centre in Europe. It cost £1.45 billion to build and spans seven miles.
It has 300 stores, 70 restaurants, a 17-screen cinema, three hotels, a casino and a bowling alley.
It is so vast it has been given its own postcode E20, the postcode of TV's Eastenders' fictitious Albert Square.
Bosses estimate the complex will take £900 million in its first year.
Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger will be performing at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, September 13.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here