The municipality is shortly going to involve shop owners in the process of upgrading Ledra and Onasagorou streets in Nicosia’s old city, municipality spokesman Makis Nicolaides said on Monday.

“We will present our proposal to the shop owners in an open meeting within the next two weeks,” he explained. “We will give them guidelines on what is good for the area. Then they can suggest what they want to do and apply for funds. After that we will proceed.”

Changes suggested by the municipality involve the removal of large, unsuitable signs and advertisements and replacing them with new, smaller signs that do not detract from the architectural heritage of old Nicosia.

This is the next step in an upgrade which had already started with the municipality installing benches and improving the pavements.

The spokesman said the work would benefit the quality of life of people living in the area, and present a good image for the many visitors.

Other plans include replacing rainwater pipes, as the current ones are problematic and have caused flooding in the past and planting trees.

The money will come from the municipality.

“The most expensive part has probably been done, like placing the benches,” Nicolaides said. “Now we need to give some money to the shop owners as an incentive to make the area more attractive.”