Sir,
I have resided in Cyprus for nearly a decade and I have both a permanent residency and ID card and pay all local and revenue taxes as and when they fall due. My wife and I live just on the boundary of Yeroskipou.
I am dismayed at the level of reconstruction being undertaken within Yeroskipou town square, for what was a typical leisure area abounding with mature trees and shrubs has degenerated into a dust bowl.
Sadly the little cafes and restaurants that abounded with Cypriot hospitality now resonate to the tune of construction noise.
After discussing matters with local shop owners, many are suffering through diminished trade and pollution. Surely it must be self evident to the Municipality that tourists who come to view the fine old church and purchase local sweets and gifts will not return!
The real question, if this modernisation was really necessary, is why could it not be completed during the winter months with a full construction team working within strict and enforceable contractual arrangements?
Moving on to my further cause for concern, I am advised that a demolition and closure order could possibly be served on the tavern known as “Riccos” situated on the beach at Yeroskipou.
Should such an action occur, it would be to the detriment of all local residents and tourists, as Riccos is a place where we all gather and enjoy the fare, meeting many old friends and also tourists who converge into Riccos after being horrified by the exorbitant prices that prevail in many of the Paphos and Yeroskipou hotels.
I am further led to believe that the closure of Riccos, established since 1975, is because it is unlicensed. Undoubtedly this is bureaucratic nonsense, for surely having occupied and traded from the site for over 30 years should be sufficient to ensure that a full licence is granted, for I am certain that any reasonable stipulations imposed by the Municipality would be undertaken by the owner.
In closing I would trust that the Municipality might provide answers to this letter and clarify the current position, as it would be most regrettable if nepotism or predatory beach developers were to deprive us of one of the very few beach bars in the Paphos area. Incidentally, I learnt most of my Greek at Riccos in a most convivial atmosphere!
Terry Gilbert, Paphos
