The promotion of local products is a priority for the new Agora, it was stated at a seeconference entitled “The Municipal Market and the Future”, organised by the Association of Shopowners of the Municipal Market of Chania at the KAM on Saturday 7th February. Sales will be restricted to foodstuffs and café/restaurant businesses, with quotas as to the type of shops, but there will be no restriction on the provenance of primary sector products on sale, according to the Municipality’s plans for the new market.

A number of those present provided details of the new market and commented on its importance for the region. Three studies relating to the future operation of the market are expected to be published by the middle of March.

The president of the Shopowners’ Association
Speaking to reporters, the president of the Shopowners’ Association, Panagiotis Kleidaras, raised the issue of how the Cretan diet will be “married” with shops in the Market, as well as the issues of operating licences, of the harmonisation of the shops with the requirements of the Hellenic Food Agency (EFET), and how the retail space can be utilised in a manner which is both operationally effective and compatible with the building. He emphasised that 95% of the former shopowners who have the possibility of returning to the new Agora will do so.

“The operating rules for the Municipal Market will centre on the Cretan diet and Cretan produce, and generally products of Greek origin. There will only be food and catering – not folk art and crafts – and in this way Cretan produce will be promoted in the market,” Mr Kleidaras added, explaining that details of the internal arrangements remain to be settled, but the shopowners have agreed the overall plan with the Municipal Authority.

The deputy mayor for Finance
Chania’s deputy mayor for Finance Tasos Aloglou elaborated that in its new form the Agora will have total of 63 shops, of which 2 will be fitted out as toilets and ancillary spaces, 1 will be an administrative office for the market and two will be reserved for the Municipality of Chania. He also said that 19 as yet unoccupied shops will be offered in open competition, stressing that strong interest has already been expressed in them by business people.

Three studies are currently under way, Mr Aloglou said, the first of which relates to the operating regulations for the market. Following consultation with the Shopowners’ Association, a number of their observations have already been incorporated, while there will be further consultations with other bodies such as the Chania Trade Association. The second study, he explained, will be for a technical guide which will set standards as regards the appearance, promotion, etc of the shops and the products in the Municipal Agora. Finally, a third study relates to the setting of rentals.

Mr Aloglou said that the studies are due to be completed by the middle of March. They will then be made public and the open competition for the remaining shops will follow. He added that the specifications being studied will include quotas for the different types of shop so as to ensure variety, without enlarging further on the subject.

The Mayor of Chania
Referring to the major difficulties incurred in the execution of the project, the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis downplayed the protests made at the delays, saying that while they were justifiable people should not dwell on them, as this was a project for the future generations. The technical specifications would be applicable for the next 150 years, he said.

As regards the appearance of the new Municipal Market, he stressed that it was compatible with its historic character as a food market, without touristic products. He emphasised that this is imposed not only by the building’s history but by the assessment that in future the region’s comparative advantage will be in food and the products of the primary sector.

The Mayor thanked the Shopowners’ Association for their cooperation and for the agreement which had been reached as to the exclusive character of the Agora as a food market, as well as the fact that each shop will now have a corresponding tax number (AFM).

Mr Simandirakis explained, however, that during the initial phase of operation it is to be expected that there will be a transitional period and that corrective decisions will be taken. Finally he guaranteed, on the part of the Municipality. “the greatest possible transparency, fairness and openness in the process of renting out the empty shops”.

Chania MPs
Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum and Chania MP, Sevi Voloudaki, said that the new market would be a landmark and an emblematic building which would function as a meeting place for all the inhabitants of Chania. “It is very important for all of us that it should start operating as soon as possible and should regain the liveliness and character which it had previously. It is important for it to maintain its character as a place where local products are displayed and as a showcase for what is being produced in our locality.”

Chania MP Alexandros Markogiannakis spoke of an emblematic project, but also referred to the delays in its completion. “There has been a further delay which is causing the shopowners a problem, but I think that we have arrived at a point where we may reasonably hope that the Agora will be completed and brought into operation in the near future,” he said.
(Haniotika Nea, 09/02/26)