Financial help for the shopowners of the Agora

Financial assistance of €1.5 million is being made available to around 50 local businesses which were removed from the Municipal Agora in Chania because of the renovation works, allowing them to restart immediately when the market reopens. The money is being paid through the government’s Sectoral Development Programme for 2026-2030, following an initiative by the Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum Sevi Voloudaki in collaboration with the Ministry of Development. A flat rate subsidy of €30,000 per business will be paid to cover the costs of reestablishment in the new market and the initial operating costs.

The Deputy Minister, wearing black, stands next to the Minister for Development in a blue suit and white shirt.
   Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum Sevi Voloudaki with the Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos. Photo: Andreas Solanakis, Facebook.

The initiative aims to help the viable restart of the shops at a critical phase for the local economy, as the reopening of the Municipal Agora is closely linked with the commercial and tourist activity of the city. The Agora is expected to start operating around the middle of 2026 with the completion of procedures by the Municipality of Chania, which include the application of the new Operating Rules.

In a written statement, Mrs Voloudaki thanked the Minister Takis Theodorikakos “for his prompt response and cooperation, which has enabled a move which is vital for the economy and the community of Chania to proceed without delay.” She added that “the restarting of the Municipal Agora is not only an act of restoration, but also a targeted investment in the local economy. On our own initiative, we have developed a special framework for the substantive support of the tradespeople and the viable restart of their businesses. We are providing practical assistance to local entrepreneurship, which constitutes the backbone of our economy, and supporting one of the city’s historical landmarks.”

Clarifications at the Chania Chamber
At a meeting at the Chania Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Wednesday 8th April, the Deputy Minister explained the terms under which the subsidy is to be paid. Also present were the president of the Chania Chamber Antonis Rokakis, the leader of the Agora shopowners Panagiotis Kleidaras and the president of the Chania Trade Association Dora Kyriaki, as well as shopowners and representatives of other local organisations.

Mrs Voloudaki explained that the assistance to the shopowners is horizontal and will be awarded per AFM (tax number), the money being paid once their reinstallation has been verified by the Municipality of Chania. She emphasised that the subsidy “is not a general development tool. It doesn’t mean that new shopowners will also receive funding. We should make clear that someone will not receive funding just because they will have a shop in the Agora. It is only those who had one, who left and are now returning.”

The participants are seated around a u-shaped table. against a blue and white backdrop which reads "Chania with future".
Meeting at the Chania Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 8th April 2026. At the end of the table, the Deputy Minister exchanges a word with the President of the Chamber Antonis Rokakis. To the left of him is the the leader of the Agora shopowners’ association Panagiotis Kleidaras. Photo: Chania Chamber/Facebook.

The President of the Chania Chamber Antonis Rokakis emphasised that “the Chania Chamber is always on hand to share any problems which may arise … Thus, following requests from the shopowners of the Agora, when we saw that there was a delay which was causing losses … we collaborated with Mrs Sevi Voloudaki on this issue so that today we can announce this assistance, which believe me is of vital importance especially in the [difficult] times which all of us business people are going through at the present.”

The leader of the Agora shopowners Panagiotis Kleidaras also expressed his satisfaction, saying: “We are very grateful to Madame Deputy Minister and the Chamber, with whom we had been discussing for about the past year what help could be found for restarting the former businesses of the Municipal Agora. Because we are living in an environment which is very difficult for business. To create a company, a shop, again from the beginning is a very dangerous and expensive ‘sport’. Those who have done it know this and the support being offered is invaluable, especially for those people who have been without turnover for the past four years and more.”

During the presentation of the financial support to the shopowners the question was raised of when the shops would start operating again, to which the Deputy Minister replied “You’re asking the wrong people. We know as much as you do,” and the Chamber’s president added: “ask in Kydonias Street” [i.e. at the mayor’s office].
(Haniotika Nea, 07, 09/04/26)