Pafos Press 5 August 2025
The Deputy Mayor of Paphos has publicly stated his position on an issue that has caused disruption in the local market, expressing his strong concern about the decision to remove existing flowers and plants from the city's shops and replace them with uniform solutions from the Municipality. As he underlines, he does not disagree with the intention to aesthetically upgrade the public space, however, he criticizes both the timing of implementation and the manner in which it is being attempted, without dialogue and without taking into account professionals and the specificities of the tourist season. Through eight points, the Deputy Mayor explains why he considers this decision untimely and unprepared, calling on the Mayor and the Municipal Council to postpone the implementation of the plan until after September, in order to have time for consultation and cooperation.
Read what he says in detail: As Deputy Mayor of Paphos, I consider it my duty to publicly address an issue that has caused disruption in the local market and concern among city professionals: the decision to remove existing flowers and plants from shops and replace them with uniform solutions from the Municipality. It is not a bad idea to have an intention to aesthetically upgrade public space. However, the manner and especially the timing of the implementation of this decision create reasonable reactions. Now is not the time We are in the middle of the tourist season. Shops are working at their maximum capacity, with thousands of visitors circulating in the city daily. The timing is not conducive to changes of this type. On the contrary, it creates more problems than it is supposed to solve. Respect is not formal – it is essential The city's businessmen are not simple "managers" of spaces. They are the ones who invest, pay, provide jobs and maintain the vitality of the city. When they are surprised by decisions that directly affect them, they feel – and rightly so – that they are not taken into account. This does not help anyone. Lease also implies a reasonable right to design When someone rents and pays for a space, they also have the self-evident requirement to be able to design it – always with respect for the rules and aesthetics. Imposing a single solution without the possibility of alternatives or discussion is not cooperation. It is imposition. Aesthetic void without reason The decision has not yet been ratified by the Plenary of the City Council. The new planting pots are not ready. If the existing ones are removed now, we risk having a city without colour and care, at a time when we are all trying to show our best selves. No meaningful consultation took place Proper self-government requires communication. There should have been an open meeting beforehand, where professionals would be informed about the plan, could express opinions and there would be a common line. Instead, they are informed by the fait accompli. This must change. I share the concerns of entrepreneurs As Deputy Mayor, but also as an active entrepreneur, I do not simply follow from a distance what is happening in the market – I live it every day. That is why I fully share the concerns and concerns of professionals. I know what pressure, contingencies, expenses and crisis management mean in the middle of the season. We cannot impose changes without calculating the cost, time and – above all – people. I ask for something simple and reasonable I call on the Mayor and my fellow City Councilors to postpone the implementation of this plan until after September. Let’s not do it now. Let's give time for information, for understanding and, why not, for co-creation. Something better can come out of dialogue and cooperation. There must be communication and understanding. The local administration must inspire trust. Not tension. Not surprise. If we operate with logic, moderation and a willingness to cooperate, we will all benefit. The citizens, the businessmen, the city itself. In closing There is no need for tensions, nor for petty politics. We simply need to operate with more understanding and common sense. We are not against each other. We are all together for the good of Paphos. And this starts with listening, respecting and cooperating.