Giannis Daveronis proposes license freeze for saturated catering areas

Giannis Daveronis, president of the Association of Restaurateurs, Holidaymakers and Related of Attica and the Committee of Health-Interest and Catering Establishments of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has proposed a freeze on new business licenses for catering, cafes, and similar establishments in areas experiencing over-concentration.

Daveronis suggests that local authorities should collaborate to conduct an organized assessment of each area's capacity to determine if they can accommodate more businesses or have reached their limits. He clarified that this proposal is not intended to abolish the free market, but rather to implement better planning for saturated regions.

The proposal comes amid significant pressures on the hospitality sector, including high taxation, increased operating costs, labor shortages, and rising costs of labor. Daveronis specifically highlighted the need for a VAT reduction to support businesses facing shrinking profit margins due to these rising expenses.