A MEETING mainly for bar and restaurant owners affected by a Didim council crackdown to rid the streets of tables and chairs blocking pavements has been called for this Sunday (May 17).

The public meeting will be held at 4pm  at the Didim Chamber of Commerce building, opposite Tesco Kipa, on 19 Mayis Cad.

Owners of affected bars and restaurants across the resort have been up in arms over the Zabita’s show of strength in urging them to rein in the tables, chairs and menu boards.

One restaurant owner said the crackdown would have a devastating affect on business, not only for their operation but for  others in the resort.

Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay declared two weeks ago to rid the streets of itinerant sellers as well as tables and chairs from the pavements of Didim for the new season.

He has given the Zabita his full backing in pressing bars and restaurants, as well as the occasional sellers, from the kerbsides.

He said he was acting within the law and had been fully backed by the council. “We are enforcing regulations that protect the pedestrian.

“If sellers don’t comply with the rules they will be arrested. We will not compromise. Our city is a modern city and the sidewalks are for the pedestrians. Everyone needs to be aware of this. “

The operation has been supported by the Didim Governor Iskender Yondem and other relevant organizations in the town.