Nicosia is willing to contribute to the full restoration of former Corner Pub, which burned down on Wednesday, mayor Charalambos Prountzos said on Friday.

In a post on social media, Prountzos said “the destruction of Corner by fire is a blow to the memories of the people of Nicosia and the architectural heritage of the city.”

“It worsens a dramatically ugly image that already existed next to the presidential palace and opposite the foreign ministry,” he added.

Prountzos said he had spoken with the town planning department and had expressed the municipality’s readiness to contribute in any way necessary to restore the listed building.

“The full restoration and reuse of the building, in collaboration with the owners, will be a victory for history and the cultural heritage of the capital,” he said.

The mayor posted a photograph of Corner Pub in its glory, saying “this is how we want to remember it.”

The former Corner Pub was for many years a familiar landmark in the capital due to its prominent location opposite the presidential palace and as a Manchester United fans’ club.

On Thursday, the police arrested a 16-year-old boy suspected of torching the building.