The City of Athens council decided last week to put in place a moratorium on the issuing of new licenses to cafes, bars and restaurants in a number of areas where the quality of life of residents has been negatively affected as a result of their being saturated with such establishments.

No new licences for eateries, bars or other entertainment venues will be issued for eateries, drinking establishments or other entertainment venues in Kolonaki and Gazi, as well as in Pangrati, east of the city centre, for two years.

The city council also established a committee that will ensure that restaurateurs do not illegally set out tables and chairs in the recently renovated Monastiraki Square.