Any day now Nicosia will be transformed but how do Ledra street’s merchants feel about it?
ON THURSDAY, Turkish soldiers began tearing down an observation post and a roadblock facing the checkpoint, marking a first step in the process of reuniting one of the island’s most significant streets. Yesterday most shopkeepers on the southern end of Ledra street were against the idea of opening the crossing.
Eroulla Pavlidou, who runs the Fanos Shop with her husband believes the opening of Ledra street “will be very bad for business”.
“All the Greek Cypriots will be going to the north to do their shopping. We want the reunification of the whole of Nicosia and not just certain roads, bit by bit.
“My husband first opened on Ledra 65 years ago and back then, it was the busiest street in Cyprus. It’s really changed over the years and today most people come here just for a day out and not for shopping.”
Andreas Makedonas who has been running a shoe shop on the street since 1969 agreed.
“I am totally opposed to opening the checkpoint, which will mean bad news for business.
“The Greek Cypriots have bad habits and want to buy foreign goods available in the north. They don’t care about the quality, only about the price. I remember Ledra before the invasion; it was the centre of business in Cyprus.
Panayiotis Panayotou, manager of Ledra Snack, described it as “a good move”.
“It will mean more people passing by, with Greek Cypriots going north and Turkish Cypriots coming over to our side. As a caf? owner, I feel that the more movement there is, the better it will be for me.”
The owner of A. Paphitis Ltd Jewellers, Lakis Paphitis, said: “I’ve heard that things are cheaper over there so I am afraid that it will be easier for people to shop in the north. Instead of having to get into their cars and cross over at Ayios Dhometios, which is what they do now, they will now just be able to stroll over on foot.
“In my opinion, this is not a good thing for my business.”
The manager of Romios Restaurant, located right next to the checkpoint was ambivalent.
“I don’t really know how this opening will affect my business. I’ll just have to wait and see.”
