By Sofia Kannas
SHOPKEEPERS in the Ayios Tychonas district of Limassol are planning to close off the town’s coastal road tomorrow in protest against the continuing ban on shops in the area opening on Sundays.
The decision, taken by former Labour Minister Andreas Moushiouttas two years ago, put an end to the Sunday opening of shops in Ayios Tychonas and other Limassol areas outside the main tourist zone.
Bambos Ioannou, President of the Ayios Tychonas local council said yesterday that while he disagreed with the shopkeeepers’ plans to close off the coastal road, he sympathised with their cause. He added that he had informed Labour Minister Makis Keravnos of his views in letters sent this month.
“I have already written to the new Labour Minister twice calling for a change to the decision that shops in the area close on Sunday,” Ioannou said.
In his latest letter to the Minister, sent yesterday, Ioannou asked Keravnos to issue a new ruling, permitting shops to remain open on Sunday until 7pm, “as is the case in Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Oroklini, Meneou, Dromolaxia, Kiti, Perivolia, Mazotos and Pyla.”
He stressed that Ayios Tychonas was a busy area with thousands of tourists to serve. “There is a lot of tourism, we have 8,500 hotel beds here and the hotels are always full. The tourists staying in the area should be served properly.”
Permanent Secretary of the Small Shopkeepers’ Association (POVEK), Melios Georgiou, said yesterday that his organisation did not object to shops in Ayios Tychonas opening on Sundays, as long as the change did not extend to all areas of Limassol.
“But if this is extended to all the town then we will not accept this,” he said.
“We say that the tourist area in Limassol should be limited to the area from the Holiday Inn up to Amathus. If this is the case then we have no problem,” he added.
Georgiou added that his organisation would discuss the situation further with the new Minister.
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