Filenews 15 October 2025 - by Ioanna Mantziipa
The reactions of shopkeepers and residents in Limassol are strong, in relation to the construction of two new shopping centers at a distance of only 300 meters from each other, in the areas of Agios Athanasios and Mesa Geitonia. The issue has already caused a stir, as in addition to the economic pressure on local businessmen, serious questions are also raised about the traffic burden in the area.
The two malls have already secured a positive opinion from the Environmental Authority and will soon be considered by the Derogation Study Council for licensing purposes. However, the final decision on their planning approval will be made by the Council of Ministers.
"It is unthinkable to approve two malls at a distance of 300 meters"
Speaking to "F", the municipal councillor and representative of the shopkeepers of the historic shopping center of the city, Christis Demetriou, described the whole issue as "absurd", noting that, "it is not possible for the Town Planning Department to accept two applications for malls at a distance of 300 meters from each other. We have reached the point where a power game is being played between the two companies as to which one will prevail."
Mr. Demetriou stressed that both applications concern areas outside the approved Area Plan, which - as he mentioned - does not allow such developments in the specific points, based on legislation that the Government itself has signed.
"The market is already covered. If it becomes a mall, it should be done in Pentakomo"
As chairman of the Municipality's Development Committee, Mr. Demetriou clarified that, in his opinion, Limassol does not need additional shopping centers. "The city is covered commercially. There are the shopping streets, there is also the Limassol Mall. But if there is evidence to the contrary, then the new mall should be built outside the city limits. And we have already proposed an ideal location, Pentakomo, where the Technology Park is to be built. A mall there will decongest traffic, it will be outside the residential area and will serve the entire province of Limassol and other cities", he noted.
Mr. Demetriou made special reference to the effects that the reckless construction of malls had on other cities. "The malls dominated and destroyed the historic shopping malls. We don't want to see Independence Street in Limassol suffer the same fate. At the moment, the commercial heart of the city is recovering. Shops are rented at high rents, new businesses are created and there is "air" in the market – something that has not existed since 2013. But if another mall becomes so close, the large foreign chains and dealerships will leave. These are the instructions they receive from their headquarters."
Mr. Demetriou did not hide his disappointment with the State's attitude towards small and medium-sized enterprises, wondering "how is it possible for the political world to care about small and medium-sized enterprises and at the same time to proceed with developments that directly threaten them? Let them go to Paphos and Larnaca to see how the shopkeepers are struggling to survive. In Limassol we are still blessed to have a historic and sustainable shopping center. Let's not destroy it," he underlined.
Referring to one of the main arguments in favour of the new malls - the creation of jobs - Mr. Demetriou responded caustically by saying that there is a huge shortage of staff in the retail sector. "We don't need more positions, we need workers. That is why we now see staff from third countries in bakeries, restaurants, kiosks, shops. Not to use employment as a pretext."
