Larnaca shop owners on Friday blasted works that began in November to remodel the commercial centre, saying that business has been affected as Christmas shoppers can’t get to them.

President of the Larnaca branch of the Confederation of Professional Craftsmen and Shopkeepers (Povek) Kyriacos Ambizas said the timing of the works was wrong.

He added that works should have started after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras said problems have been discussed with the shop owners in an effort to find solutions.

He said it was agreed that the shop owners would not pay municipal taxes for 2025.

Ambizas said the municipality had promised that the works would not affect business, however many have shut shop because of them.

“Various measures will have to be taken for the remaining projects over the next two years in the city centre, taking into account that the area is deserted. Many shops did good business over the Christmas and New Year holidays in previous years and could survive, however with the remodelling works they cannot” as the area is inaccessible, he said.

Vyras said various opinions had been voiced over the past two years as to when the works should begin. “However, at some point they had to start,” he added.

The mayor said the works would be carried out in five phases, each one lasting up to six months.

He called on everyone to show understanding, as the project would upgrade the centre and address the drop in business due to the opening of the town’s mall.