IKOS illegally occupying area on Vidos Island
Vidos
03 May 2022
/ 10:21
CORFU. Tables and chairs in unrented space - restaurant open again since 1 May. What the councillor responsible for Vidos says.
The IKOS restaurant is continuing to occupy space on Vidos Island beyond what has been leased. The space in question is the advantageous 1,000sq.m. shaded area in front of the stage.
Without a new contract having been signed, the space is again being occupied illegally this year, with tables and chairs already having being placed there since Friday and, according to information received by Enimerosi, the restaurant open to customers on Sunday. The information was confirmed by the Municipal Councillor responsible for Vidos Spyros Neratzis.
Background
The Friends of Vidos Association filed a complaint in 2020 that the space was being used illegally. In 2021, Spyros Neratzis brought the matter up for discussion at a Municipal Council meeting but it was passed on to the Municipal Legal, Real Estate and Trade services, where it has remained 'frozen'.
The original lease was unanimously agreed by the former Corfu Municipality in March 2019 and includes the municipal building housing the restaurant and approximately 450sq.m. next to the building.
Two options
Spyros Neratzis told Enimerosi that the small island must remain open to all members of the public. "We want Vidos to be filled with visitors and for that to happen, the Municipality must take care of the shuttle service, beautification, summer camps and highlighting the natural and historical wealth, as well as providing the necessary facilities for visitors. One of these is the restaurant. What we have seen is that, without the restaurant, the island empties from the afternoon onwards. We are obliged to find a way to provide seamless access for visitors, which is tied in with the sustainability of the shuttle service.
"IKOS expressed an interest in leasing the space in 2020. In April this year it again said that it intended to start operating on 1 May - including the extra space in question. Being responsible for Vidos, I informed the local authority of the company's intentions and the use of tables and chairs in the area outwith that which has been leased. It is possible that this can be dealt with by signing a new contract with the express condition that it is open to all members of the public. There have been verbal assurances that all members of the public will be able to eat there but this needs to be put in writing in a legal contract.
"There are two options," Spyros Neratzis concluded. "Either the Municipality can take action to remove them from the illegally-occupied area or a new contract can be signed with the condition that all members of the public can use the facility."
Without a new contract having been signed, the space is again being occupied illegally this year, with tables and chairs already having being placed there since Friday and, according to information received by Enimerosi, the restaurant open to customers on Sunday. The information was confirmed by the Municipal Councillor responsible for Vidos Spyros Neratzis.
Background
The Friends of Vidos Association filed a complaint in 2020 that the space was being used illegally. In 2021, Spyros Neratzis brought the matter up for discussion at a Municipal Council meeting but it was passed on to the Municipal Legal, Real Estate and Trade services, where it has remained 'frozen'.
The original lease was unanimously agreed by the former Corfu Municipality in March 2019 and includes the municipal building housing the restaurant and approximately 450sq.m. next to the building.
Two options
Spyros Neratzis told Enimerosi that the small island must remain open to all members of the public. "We want Vidos to be filled with visitors and for that to happen, the Municipality must take care of the shuttle service, beautification, summer camps and highlighting the natural and historical wealth, as well as providing the necessary facilities for visitors. One of these is the restaurant. What we have seen is that, without the restaurant, the island empties from the afternoon onwards. We are obliged to find a way to provide seamless access for visitors, which is tied in with the sustainability of the shuttle service.
"IKOS expressed an interest in leasing the space in 2020. In April this year it again said that it intended to start operating on 1 May - including the extra space in question. Being responsible for Vidos, I informed the local authority of the company's intentions and the use of tables and chairs in the area outwith that which has been leased. It is possible that this can be dealt with by signing a new contract with the express condition that it is open to all members of the public. There have been verbal assurances that all members of the public will be able to eat there but this needs to be put in writing in a legal contract.
"There are two options," Spyros Neratzis concluded. "Either the Municipality can take action to remove them from the illegally-occupied area or a new contract can be signed with the condition that all members of the public can use the facility."
