Larnaca Municipal Council has decided that public squares should no longer be granted for events that restrict free public access through fencing or ticketed entry.
In a statement issued in response to discussion on social media, Larnaca Municipality clarified that the council has not cancelled any event or rejected any organiser’s request.
The municipality said that, in previous years, the council had approved the use of public squares for events where access was limited through fencing and entrance fees. However, it noted that this practice had repeatedly been described as temporary, pending a final political decision on the matter. The practice had also drawn significant reactions from some residents, according to the statement.
At a recent meeting, the council examined requests from three private businesses to hold events at Zuhouri Square. Some of the requests included restricted public access and paid entry.
“The majority of the Municipal Council judged that the practice of granting public squares while restricting free public access cannot continue,” the municipality said.
As a result, the council decided that all three events may take place at the square, provided there is no fencing of the area and no entrance fee. Organisers may, if they wish and provided they secure the necessary permits, cover part of their costs through the sale of food and drinks. The municipality said it is now up to each private business to decide whether it will proceed with its event under the terms set by the council.
It added that the current Municipal Council has repeatedly shown that it operates with transparency and supports private initiatives, provided they respect council decisions, the public interest and the residents of Larnaca.
Source: CNA
