ROME-- The city council have announced the implementation of a new measure which will stop shops like mini-markets and self-service launderettes from opening in the city centre.

 The initiative comes as an attempt to protect, and encourage the growth of, independent and artisanal shops in the city’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 Among shops that will be protected by this measure are bookshops, antique shops and those selling fine art and design pieces.

 These rules will be implemented for two years, and after three years the situation will be reviewed to see if it has had a positive impact on small business trade in the capital.

 An assessor from the government department for economic development, Adriano Meloni, explained that the aim is to promote commercial sustainability in areas saturated by minimarkets and the like.

 “Our objective is, on one hand, to place restrictions on the shops that are taking over the historic centre, but at the same time create conditions that don’t compromise enterprise. Development and preservation can live in harmony, and this is the first step in that direction.” 

TM