Political parties have been banned from setting up stalls in Epsom’s marketplace in the run up to May’s elections as they would not "create any value for the community", according to the council.

Green party parliamentary candidate Susan McGrath contacted Epsom Council to ask for approval to set up an election stall in Epsom High Street on the Saturdays leading to the May 7 vote.

But Ms McGrath said she and her colleague were told by the council that it has been instructed not to accept any requests from parties wanting to have general election stalls "because the council does not feel these create any value for the community".

According to Ms McGrath, her colleague was told: "If they allowed this then anyone with any kind of political or religious activist would have to be given space."

Ms McGrath said she was surprised by the response especially as she has set up a stall in Dorking High Street on a number of occasions, for which Mole Valley Council gave approval.

"The small parties have so little publicity," she added.

"We have to find ways to engage."

An Epsom Council spokesman said to set up a stall on private land, such as a shopping mall, permission must be sought from the owner, while Surrey County Council (SCC) is in charge of public highways.

A SCC spokesman said it does not have the power to either allow or stop people from setting up election stalls on public pavements, as long as they do not cause obstructions to the public.

But with regards to Epsom marketplace, run by Epsom Council,  an Epsom Council spokesman said it has a "blanket ban" on parties setting up stalls because the "community value is for the marketplace as a retail area".

“Three to four years ago the council took back the running of the marketplace from a private organisation and it was agreed that it had to have a focus on the retail aspect,” the spokesman said.

“The decision for a blanket ban was made due to concern from then stallholders that having a stand from an organisation with extreme views could cause disruption to their business, for example protestors putting off potential customers. 

"As the market was failing when the council took it back over, the council wanted to support market stallholders.”

He said there have been elections held in Epsom for the last three years and there is “no logic” for an exception to be made for the general election.

“The marketplace is a community space and used for a variety of purposes, including civic ceremonies,” the spokesman added.

“On a Saturday and on a Thursday, the traditional market days, retail activity takes precedence.”

What do you think? Leave a comment below or email Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.