KYIV. Aug 23 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Kyiv authorities are looking for an investor for the Bessarabsky market to reformat it in line with the modern retail format, CEO of ESTA Holding Maksym Hromadtsov has told Interfax-Ukraine.
“I hope that the Bessarabsky market would be transformed from the most expensive market without any distinguishing features into a normal format of the right European market, as, for example, the San Migel market in Madrid or Camden Market in London. I know for sure that Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has a vision. We have discussed this. The authorities are still looking for an investor,” he said.
He said that with losing the status of the main shopping street of the country by Khreschatyk Street the share of clothes retailers in it shrank to around 20% of all retail space, and bank departments, cafes and restaurants occupied the rest of the premises in the street. Visiting of the street by local residents in weekends has decreased.
Hromadtsov said that the project on the creation of the pedestrian zone from Kontraktova Square and Petro Sahaidachny Street until the end of Khreschatyk Street could positively influence on resumption of retail trade in the street.
“This is a long-term project. We would be lucky if they manage to finish it in five years,” he said.
