Shopkeepers in Larnaca’s commercial centre expected more during the final days of 2025 as two major regeneration projects stretched on for more than a year.
Footfall increased significantly due to the municipality’s festive events, but catering businesses in Ermou Square and at the end of Zinonos Kitieos street—which was paved and given temporary permission for tables on part of the road—saw most of the benefit.
“In general the movement at commercial centre shops was medium, and I believe this happened because of the works,” Dimitris Dimitriou, president of the Larnaca Commercial Centre Shopkeepers Association, told Phileleftheros. The week after Christmas started “a bit better,” he added.
Completion of works on Ermou Street helped increase movement, Dimitriou confirmed. “Of course it helped, and there are two or three shops that were empty which have already been rented,” he said, adding that some will open as retail shops, which is positive.
Beyond the events, social media was mobilised this year as shopkeepers, citizens and local media called on Larnaca residents to support the city centre and businesses fighting for survival.
“We as shopkeepers want to thank the citizens who support the historic commercial centre,” Dimitriou said. “We want people to know we are open and waiting for them to come. We ask people to support the commercial centre, which doesn’t lack anything and has nothing to envy from anywhere else.”
Hopes now rest on the second half of 2026, when the works will be completed. “When the works finish, we hope everything will go better,” Dimitriou said, indicating that two sections remain—the second part of Zinonos and the Municipal Market road—before shops are no longer affected.
The regeneration of Alkis and Acropolis squares, which affects passage through the centre due to works on busy Gr. Afxentiou street, is expected to finish in July. Works inside the commercial centre that affect shops will finish in autumn, according to the new schedule.
Until then, shopkeepers must find ways through events or other actions to increase footfall in the centre. For this reason, Dimitriou said, it was decided that in 2026 shopkeepers will organise at least one event per month.