Shopkeepers continue "occupation" of streets around Arasta

[iancrumpy]

Source: http://www.gundemkibris.com/arastada-is ... 62353h.htm

The shop owners and restauranteurs were told by Lefkoşa Belediyesi that July 8th was to be the last day for having their tables, signs, fridges, etc out in the narrow streets of Arasta and Lokmacı. But according to the gündemkıbrıs reporter, Ali Cansu, the traders there are refusing to comply with the municipality's demands.

The Arasta muhtar, Mehmet Alisinanoğlu, is also critical of the traders, saying that some have twice the floor space out in the road that they have have inside the shops. Nevin Alisinanoğlu (who I presume to be the muhtar's wife) says some of the shops even have wooden shelving outside to display their wares. The couple claim that in spite of the July 8th deadline, there is still not enough space for people to comfortably walk in the streets and that more importantly in the case of an emergency it would be difficult for fire engines and ambulances to get by the shops and restaurants.

Apparently though the traders are refusing to have their "stuff" closer to their shops/restaurants, because they claim the belediye don't seem to care about (what they deem to be) problems with the area - the traders claim (1) the belediye should do a better job at collecting the rubbish in the area (2) the belediye should make provisions for toilets in the area & (3) that belediye/police should stop vehicles entering the roads at times other than those agreed upon.

When I go to the "old city" for my haircut tomorrow, I'll also pay a visit to Arasta to judge the situation for myself ...

[iancrumpy]

Nevin Alisinanoğlu (who I presume to be the muhtar's wife) says some of the shops even have wooden shelving outside to display their wares. The Alisinanoğlus claim that in spite of the July 8th deadline, there is still not enough space for people to comfortably walk in the streets and that more importantly in the case of an emergency it would be difficult for fire engines and ambulances to get by the shops and restaurants.

Today at about 5pm, after having my hair cut, I had a wander around Arasta and Lokmacı: Maybe the traders just today started to comply with the belediye's demands, but it seemed to me that at least all the clothes and bag shop owners had all their wares sufficiently close to their shop fronts. Along the narrow Arasta Sokak itself no shops seemed to be displaying their wares too far out into the road and more to the point there seemed to be enough room for emergency vehicles to pass.

As for the area in front of the Lokmacı crossing, the only two places that seemed to be jutting out into the road were two bar/cafes by the names of Majeste (on a corner 30 metres from the crossing) and Patso Cafe (on another corner about 50 metres from the crossing). It would seem, judging by the permanent-looking decking, that at least in the case of the more popular Majeste Bar either by over or under the table payments the owner had the permission of the belediye to indeed have his bar jutting out. In any case, as for Arasta Sokak there seemed to be ample room for emergecy vehicles to pass if necessary.