Paphos shopkeepers incensed as awnings taken down

[Paphos Life]

Some 25 shopkeepers in Paphos were furious on Thursday after they woke up to find their shop shades seized by local authorities. The incident may make an interesting start for the new minister of interior Constantinos Ioannou, as shopkeepers angrily said they were going to send him a letter of
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Read the article and chat about it below...

[LouiseCastricum]

The same was done in Makarios Street in the old town.

[Kili01]

My sympathies are with the poor shopkeepers. I feel that the Mayor has got way too dictatorial. Why should the Mayor in effect be forcing shopkeepers with large front windows exposed to the burning summer sun not be allowed to have shade? Their stock in some cases will be ruined by constant exposure to sunlight. I was also talking to some stallholders who used to work in the alleys outside the covered markets. Previously the alley was covered. Following the recent work it is uncovered. Now it is open to the elements, to rain in winter and extreme heat in the summer.
Dee

[brengreen]

I seem to recall that when the works were done there years ago all the shop fronts had to be altered so that they were all the same. Perhaps that what they want now. It must be so annoying for all the shopkeepers/bar owners. Do you think they will allow umbrellas. No one will want to sit outside a bar in full sun in the summer.

[daveg]

Just wish the Mayor would concentrate on getting the graffiti removed and trace the brain deads who cause it ...
Maybe check on their school books for the tags that are appearing, assuming it's school kids who are partly responsible....

[Kili01]

My recent post seens to have disappeared into the ether.
I feel very sorry for the poor shop keepers in both the harbour and the sea front, whose trade relies on tourists. Tourists on holiday now must also feel disappointed, much as if they have arrived in the "off season".
I would also like to see more energy devoted to getting rid of the graffiti.

Will it all be finished before Easter, both the Western and Greek ones? Hope so.
Dee

[Dominic]

I would imagine you posted it on another thread, like you always do when you imply that a post of yours has vanished.

[Kili01]

No, however I later wrote the post above which was OK. It was worded more diplomatically.. Incidentally, I've spoken to other shop keepers in the old town who say they are very unhappy. Firstly, a number of former tenants of shops in Makarios Ave have seen their businesses collapse due to the length of time it took to finish Makarios Ave,as they still had to pay rent and rates. This has happened in every place possibly due to the protracted amount of time it takes workers to finish any one street. It has happened in parts of Ellados Ave too. I hope it won't also happen in the harbour area where rents are also high.

The thing is these roadwork improvement schemes take far too long, partly because too many streets are dug up at the same time, possibly because there aren't enough workers to spread around so much work...

The issue about the mayors dictats re removal of shop awnings, plus shop signs, just before the summer season may not be popular among these shopkeepers as new awnings require a large outlay of cash..
Even if the finished result is an improvement.

Dee

[Firefly]

These lengthy road works do cause the downfall of businesses.

My daughter and son-on-law had quite a prosperous business at Geroskipou. The re-modelling of the village centre, and road works, some years ago, meant that access to their shop was totally blocked off for months. Needless to say, their business folded and they had no option but to return to the UK, and start again.

This must happen over and over again in Cyprus, very sad, but it could be avoided with better planning.

[Kili01]

Firefly you summed up the situation in the Paphos area. Why does everything take so long to do? Sometimes a street in town is partially resurfaced only to be dug up again soon after. This has happened in Ellados Ave where work has been going on for about a year now-seems even longer. If only someone n charge could draw up a do able and efficient street work improvement plan. With equipment, construction materials and workers starting with in a couple of days of this. Then each stage efficiently managed, with workers being supervised. How much time could be saved, also perhaps money?

But this is Cyprus, and on many days, even a week or so, nothing happens. Thus both the shopkeepers suffer loss of earnings, businesses founder and the long suffering motoring public tries to get from A to B by trial and error.
At last progress is being made, with part of the street reopened. It looks very smart.The next question is when will the lower part of it be finished too? Before or after Easter?

Dee

[Dominic]

Roadworks are not just a Cyprus phenomenon. Who knows, perhaps they did draw up a plan, and this is it.

What could be improved is the relationship between business and bureaucracy though. Fore-warned is fore-armed, and all that.

[cyprusmax47]

Back to the topic. As usual there is a lot of condemnations about the actions from the Paphos Municipality.

Here a statement in the press from the Mayor of Paphos, which I believe does a very good job since he is elected.
source: PaphosLive, Google translated from Greek language.


"The mayor of Paphos stated that the local authority is determined to remove many years of illegalities that have been committed on the Paphos beach front.

Many shopkeepers in the area have not only closed the verandas of the shops with permanent constructions, creating single spaces, they have also taken over public spaces as he mentioned and this is illegal and impermissible. Shopkeepers in the area on the occasion of the projects in the area have resorted to the justice for the issuance of decrees with the shopkeepers stressing that they are ready to respect the decisions of the justice.

The shopkeepers are also complaining about the start time of the works, just before the start of the summer tourist season, with the mayor replying that this is a pretext to not remove the illegalities. He explained that the works for the installation of urban equipment in the area will not last more than two weeks.

"Their reaction has to do with the spaces they illegally occupy, but this cannot be perpetuated," he concluded."


Max

[Uncle D]

I thought that it might be something to do with bars and restaurants taking the pavements over for extra seating etc. If that's effecting other establishments like shops then it's unfortunate that their neighbours are taking the Mick and ruining it for the rest.

[Kili01]

I can see both sides. In this situation,The Mayor is a stickler for any business daring to occupy extra space in the 'public area'. However in the case of the sea front shops, the empty spaces in front of them is huge. Since vehicles are banned from using it or of course parking there, there is acres of space available. If its money that he wants, perhaps a reasonable sum per metre would allow both the shops and cafes to have the space they need.

I have seen many more attractive seafronts in other towns, by comparison Paphos is bland, empty and in summer there is very little shade.
I feel that he has his eye on higher things when his term as Mayor of Paphos finishes, I think next year. So he wants to stamp his authority on every part of Paphos. Many of the things he has done are good, but he has made some mistakes. Many business owners, I've been told are fed up one way or another with the prolonged road closures which affect their businesses so badly.
Dee

[WHL]

I only wished we had a mayor like yours in Larnaca, someone who has the balls to get things done
Most shops, kiosks start with an awning then fill the sides then over time change the fabric to permanent roofing and sides giving them a lot more space
I never realised what a headache this was until we had a wheelchair user over to visit, and I tried pushing her around, I ended up using the road which was very dangerous as the pavements were a no go area.
The shop keepers should shut up if its iligal then don't moan, no one to blame but yourselfs

[Kili01]

WHL, why don't you try a drive over to Paphos and try navigating a car or particularly a wheelchair around....
As I said in my previous post, the Mayor has done a number of good things, but he has made some mistakes. The poor shop owners, have had a rough time with long enforced closures due to the length of-time spent by contractors on digging up roads. They get NO help regarding payment of rent or taxes. When they run out of money and close, how can they feed their families? No one cares.
Paphos will eventually look very nice, but there are a lot of empty shops, where once a street was full and busy.. The Mayor appears to dislike awnings, so necessary in summer as well as in winter to protect against the weather.

Dee

[WHL]

WHL, why don't you try a drive over to Paphos and try navigating a car or particularly a wheelchair around....
As I said in my previous post, the Mayor has done a number of good things, but he has made some mistakes. The poor shop owners, have had a rough time with long enforced closures due to the length of-time spent by contractors on digging up roads. They get NO help regarding payment of rent or taxes. When they run out of money and close, how can they feed their families? No one cares.
Paphos will eventually look very nice, but there are a lot of empty shops, where once a street was full and busy.. The Mayor appears to dislike awnings, so necessary in summer as well as in winter to protect against the weather.

Dee

why would I want to drive over to paphos to push a wheel chair about?
As for shops closing down since the new swish mall opened in Larnaca
down town is like a ghost town, its what people want,
With respect you often post about how Cypriots generally ignore the laws etc
Now a mayor is finally sorting the lawless out, you still arent happy

[WHL]

As far as I know they are dumpt

[Kili01]

WHL,
Paphos now has two Malls, not just one! Also it is hoped to revitalise Paphos Old Town.
Paphos is changing dramatically. Some of it good, but the continual road chaos is wearying.

Dee

[WHL]

WHL,
Paphos now has two Malls, not just one! Also it is hoped to revitalise Paphos Old Town.
Paphos is changing dramatically. Some of it good, but the continual road chaos is wearying.

Dee

could be the malls are the reason that the small shops are closing down