Two long-serving independent shops have fallen foul of “unreasonable and draconian” council rules, it has been claimed.

Cockfosters Delicatessen and Bowes Hardware, who have traded in Cockfosters Road for 34 and 80 years respectively, were recently contacted by Enfield Council, to tell them their street displays of fruit, and DIY equipment, were illegal obstacles on the pavement.

Both shops were given seven days to remove the displays, but while Bowes have reluctantly accepted the decision, Cockfosters Deli continue to display goods on the street, saying they would have nowhere else to put them.

Owners, husband and wife George and Gianna Spyrou, say a petition supporting their stance has gathered over 300 signatures.

Ms Spyrou said: “We do agree you need space for wheelchairs and scooters on the pavement, but a blanket approach does not work. We have not had a single complaint.

“It will have a huge impact on us, where does all that stock go? We will have to cut down, lose income. We are already competing against three supermarkets on this road – it could be the final nail in our coffin.”

Mr Spyrou added: “One girl stopped her car in the middle of the road, jumped out and ran in demanding to sign the petition, that is how strongly people feel.

“We understand where the council is coming from, there has to be some restrictions, but case by case monitoring would be so much better. We feel let down.”

Barbara Newport, who has owned Bowes Hardware with her husband David for 33 years, said she was confused as to why cafes and restaurants on the road are allowed tables and chairs outside while they cannot have displays.

She said: “It is ridiculous. People come in and ask where our stuff is and can’t believe it when we tell them.

“It seems to be one rule for one shop but different for another. There must be middle ground.”

The stores have been backed up by Cockfosters ward councillor, Jason Charalambous.

He told the Enfield Independent: “This is utterly unreasonable and draconian and came completely out of the blue for both of these shops having as far as I know never been contacted by the Council about this before. 

“My view is that the Council is acting disgracefully in bullying some of our most valued and well established family run shops for no good reason, using a one size fits all policy that they have suddenly decided to enforce and where clearly some common sense discretion should be applied.”

Enfield Council spokesperson Suzanne Linsey said the cabinet member for environment, Daniel Anderson, has recently agreed for the policy to be reviewed.

She said: “It is against the law to display goods for sale on the highway.

“We are treating all businesses in Enfield consistently and fairly in accordance with the existing long standing policy and they are being asked to remove their goods from the pavement, followed up with enforcement action if required, regardless of the length of time the goods have been displayed.”