The council has been accused of "hiding its head in the sand" over the state of independent shops by two opposition parties.

Labour and the Green Party have backed the Save Our Shops campaign in The Broadway as concerns grow that major retailers at the Langston Road shopping park are taking custom from smaller businesses.

Two weeks ago the Green Owl Canteen closed its doors after six months of trading on the Debden high street, following in the wake of Save the Children, Pirates Den, Eye Gee Opticians and Ice Events.

At its annual members meeting last month Labour pointed the finger of blame at the council, accusing it of failing to back Broadway traders by giving Langston Road retailers a three year rent holiday.

It also questioned why 36 parking spaces were removed from the Debden parade while Langston road is served by a free carpark.

Mitch Diamond-Conway, secretary of Epping Forest Labour Party, said: "The traders on The Broadway have requested a rebate as they have been so adversely affected, but were firmly told no, despite being assured in 2016 that one would be ‘considered’.

"The Labour Party totally condemns the grossly unfair manner in which The Broadway traders are being treated in comparison with the Langston Road development.

"It appears that this Tory council does not provide an even playing field in the competition between big businesses and small shops.

"The council is hiding its head in the sand while The Broadway declines."

The Green Party has also offered The Broadway traders its support.

Cllr Simon Heap said: "If you spend a pound in a local shop, 63 per cent goes back into the local economy compared to about 40 per cent for a chain.

"It means the place rejuvenates itself.

"I think the shopping park is having a big impact already.

"It is a way of pushing everything out and out and out and squeezing the small shop owners.

"I don't think the retail park is a good thing." When asked by The Guardian about the closure of Green Owl Canteen last week, a spokesperson for the council argued The Broadway was doing well.

They said: "As previously stated The Broadway, when compared with national trends, is a success story. It is actually bucking the national trend with strong performance. Turnover of new shops replacing old is a natural part of any high street and we still have lots of interest in each vacancy.

“The Council has invested heavily in The Broadway. Our new retail units at the Landmark building are a sign of our confidence. Rental income from the shop units helps us to support services to our residents. With the demand for our units so strong, a very positive picture of The Broadway is emerging.

“All new businesses based in property owned by the council benefit from not having to pay rent costs for a period of time when starting up, including traders based at The Broadway.

"The tenant received not only a rent free period, but also other start up benefits too from EFDC.”