The old town IS OPEN so please support it!

[trevnhil]

Have ALL the traffic diversions gone now, both down 'Gasoline alley' and past the old fruit and veg market, and past the old Post office ?

[ApusApus]

Have ALL the traffic diversions gone now, both down 'Gasoline alley' and past the old fruit and veg market, and past the old Post office ?

No not quite yet .............. but getting there!


Shane

[Steve Matthews]

Sadly, I've long since given up going anywhere near the old town, either on foot or by car. At least until all of the works are finished. Too many times I got stuck in dead ends, diversions, non existent footpaths, etc. A complete shambles.

From what I've seen, there is nothing traditional, classic or 'Cypriot' about the renovations. No warm, local limestone, no sympathetic design, no coherent look. Instead, it seems to be stark, angular, grey structures, harsh, bright, white marble. All of which, in my opinion, sit uncomfortably with the lovely, classic buildings.

Any feeling of 'old town' seems to have been replaced with 'Milton Keynes'. A lost opportunity, in my view. I know it's very much a matter of personal taste, but I really don't like the mish mash of looks they've gone for.

[Dominic]

I disagree. I think the finished bits look lovely, and there are more and more finished bits.

I find the easiest way to explore is on foot at the moment. I parked near George's Opticians and walked up past M & S. It wasn't far, nor was it a minefield.

[Steve Matthews]

The aesthetics are, as I say, a matter of personal taste.
I do feel sorry for the business owners. They've had to endure months of disruption. I certainly hope that when it's all finished, they see an upturn in revenue.
It's just a shame that it wasn't all finished in time for the European Capital of Culture year.

[LouiseCastricum]

I agree with Dominic. The old town is lovely to explore on foot and plenty of parking space has been created. It's also nice to see more and more finished parts and new shops all the time.

[Steve Matthews]

Surely nobody likes the look of those three, tall, grey, angular, crane-like structures in Kennedy Square? What are they?

[LouiseCastricum]

Yes I like those street lights.....

[Cactuslil]

I like them as lights but have to agree with Steve that they're not in keeping with the old town & I really don't like the concrete benches. I do like what they've done within the town itself though.

[Jim B]

I really like the ambiance of the new town and find it's quite easy to park by the bus station. Even had a suit made by one of the Tailors down one of the side streets a couple of weeks ago. From looking run down the town now looks clean and tidy and has retained its character. When the new Markedio Theatre opens the town will have a venue hall suitable for the 21st century.

Jim

[Bograt]

I can't wait to get back, and explore the old town properly. I love what I have seen of it so far, and admire their chutzpah in making some bold changes. Have to say, I rather enjoyed all the challenges of the dead ends and slightly interesting pavement arrangements during the renovations, but that is because I loved being free of the OTT British way. The mentality that said "oh my god, there is a hole, quick, ban the public as they are fools and will not be able to work it out..." was delightfully absent.

[Steve Matthews]

Yes I like those street lights.....

Thank you. I now know what they are. I thought they were sculptures of some sort. Didn't realise they were lights. I still don't like them though

[Dominic]

It is a bit harsh to criticise parking prices when they haven't yet been announced.

[josef k]

As others, I like the finished bits of the old town. The work has been done to a high standard and, whilst not to everyone's taste, I think it looks good. I also like the considerably increased parking, particularly on the old school site. The problem is that the market area is closed and doesn't look like it will open any time soon. This was the magnet for tourists, and therefore income. Locals can support the local coffee shops etc all they like, but things won't really get back to normal until the market is completed.

[Jim B]

I must say some of the entertainment for City of Culture, both free and ticketed has been amazing. We went to see the Myth of Galatea down at the Harbour and my wife has been to productions like the Drummers from Japan and Eternal Voyages to just name two of many she has attended. The exhibition in the caves was very good; I guess it's what interests or entertains people but I do know the four people we've had staying with us have been very impressed by what's been on offer and so have we with plenty more international entertainment to come.

Jim

[Lofos-5]

Siga siga. It will all be fine. TOTK wasn't exactly on schedule either but look how much it has improved. We loved what we have seen a few weeks ago and it inspired us to 2 visits to local exhibitions plus meals afterwards. Not something we would have contemplated 2 years ago...

[ApusApus]

I have to say that what has been done so far is excellent, a far cry from the run down state the town was in! There are still areas to complete & touching up/snagging work to do but that will be carried out over the next few months. It is sad that businesses have had to suffer but the work needed doing & a lot of it because of the neglect in the area over the past years!

For me, the area is a vast improvement but I think the authorities need to be thinking about 2018 now & how they can promote the place, otherwise it could become a waste land with empty coffee shops & bookies!


Shane

[Kili01]

I like the overall impression of a town which has been 'cleaned up' but it does not have much Cypriot or Greek character in my opinion. Also I would have liked to see more greenery and or tubs of brightly coloured geraniums to add a splash of colour and improve the look of the streets. If you visit other Greek islands there is plenty of whitewash on walls and colourful hanging baskets on all the balconies instead of kms of sterile grey/white marble. Nice though that is. Also in hot weather there is virtually no shade. It will take time for the trees which have been planted to get large enough to provide any real shade.and some coloured sun awnings in front of the buildings would look nice. I have parked in the new car park behind the police station, but huge though it is, there are many times when it is completely full! There may be a lack of convenient car parking around the old town when it is finished, and most Cypriots like to park their cars outside the front doors of shops that they are visiting, so the distance between car parks and the town may also put some off from shopping there. The Mall is very popular and often full with plenty of parking close at hand.
Dee

[Dominic]

Cyprus isn't a Greek Island.

[trevnhil]

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