Food service and hospitality businesses to close on May 21 amid escalating conflict with Municipality, inspections, and Ephorate of Antiquities

The hospitality sector in Corfu is now heading into direct confrontation with regulatory and administrative authorities, as professionals have unanimously decided to close their businesses on May 21, the day of celebrations for the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, and during the visit of President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas to the island.

The decision was taken on Wednesday evening at an emergency general assembly of the association at the offices of OEVEK, and is accompanied by a strongly worded statement referring to “prolonged and long-standing indifference” toward the sector’s problems. The professionals describe the total shutdown as the “only form of response” to a situation which, they argue, is leading to the overall devaluation of the hospitality sector and food-service establishments.

At the centre of the dispute are the operation of businesses in the Garitsa Park area, inspections and complaints by residents’ associations, licensing issues, restrictions on music hours, fines, and the upcoming Urban Operating Regulation. The professionals also denounce unequal treatment between businesses operating in the same town, as well as different treatment of members of the public and business owners in the opinions issued by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu.

Particular emphasis is placed on the operation of “unlicensed businesses” in Garitsa Park, as the area has recently been at the centre of intense public controversy regarding the use of public space, placement of tables and seating, interventions in protected areas, and compliance with the required operating conditions.

The choice of May 21 for the protest gives the movement clear political and symbolic weight, as it is Corfu’s most important commemorative day, with high visitor numbers, official events, and the presence of government and state representatives. The professionals are calling on members to participate massively in the closure, aiming to send what they describe as a “clear message to all responsible authorities.”

The announcement

Dear colleagues,

As you are likely aware, today, Wednesday 13/5/2026, an Extraordinary General Assembly of our Association was held at the offices of OEVEK. After a thorough discussion and numerous proposals, it was unanimously decided by all those present to close our businesses on May 21 for the entire day.

This action was deemed NECESSARY as the only means of response to the PROLONGED and LONG-STANDING indifference of local authorities toward the serious problems our sector is facing.

The reasons for this mobilisation include:

1. Operation of unlicensed businesses in the Garitsa Park area
2. Lawsuits and complaints by town associations
3. Music hours regulations
4. Urban Operating Regulation
5. Excessive fines
6. Revocation of operating licenses exclusively for food-service businesses
7. Unequal treatment among professionals operating in the same city
8. Unequal treatment between members of the public and business owners regarding the opinions of the Corfu Ephorate of Antiquities
9. The overall devaluation of a sector that is a key pillar of the local economy and employment

We call on all colleagues to fully and actively support the decision of the General Assembly, in order to send a clear message to all relevant authorities that our sector can no longer remain passive in the face of this situation.

A press release/official statement from the association is expected to follow.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS