Athens Bans Tables and Chairs on Panepistimiou St

Athens Academy on Panepisthmiou street. Photo source: Visit Greece/ Skoulas.

The Athens City Council agreed on Monday to ban businesses from placing tables and chairs along central Panepistimiou St.

Under the decision the Athens Municipality will not grant public space on Panepistimiou St sidewalks to F&B enterprises for a period of two years. Meanwhile, licenses already granted will be revoked.

Panepisthmiou Street.

The Athens City Council decision does concern public space granted on side streets along Panepistimiou St. It does however apply to the following public areas: the squares of Agia Irini, Agiou Georgiou Karytsi, Agioi Theodoroi and Ieros Lochos, which are being revamped; to the pedestrian walkways of Praxitelous St, Lekka St, Agia Irinis – Athenaidos – Perikleous – Karagiorgi Servias and Anthimou Gazi; and on the pedestrian walkways of Evangelistria and Skouleniou, which are being redesigned and reconstructed.

“The fight for quality and free public space is a daily struggle in the city center and in the neighborhoods. It is our obligation to the Athenians, but also to the city itself. We work in agreement with the majority of professionals who respect the law, however we are here when measures need to be imposed”, said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

Panepisthmiou Street.

Budgeted at 3 million euros, the redevelopment of Panepistimiou St has come under harsh criticism. The ongoing project is part of a general urban redevelopment plan that has included park upgrades, pedestrian walkways, and city square overhauls.

The municipal authority decided earlier this year to stop granting permits for tables and chairs on squares located in Athens’ commercial triangle.

“Panepistimiou St was created to provide quality public space to citizens not to F&B services providers,” said Deputy Athens Mayor of Municipal Police and Public Areas, Vassilis Koromantzos.