Ragusa, no expansion of outdoor seating in Ibla. Confimprese protests.

No extensions of outdoor seating in Piazza Pola, in Ragusa Ibla. Commercial activities must strictly adhere to the already assigned surfaces, without further extensions. The decision, motivated by the needs of urban decor, traffic safety, and full accessibility of public spaces, was reiterated by municipal administrators during a meeting in the council chamber with a delegation of business owners and representatives of Confimprese Iblea.

Present at the meeting were Mayor Peppe Cassi and councilors Katia Pasta, Gianni Giuffrida, and Giovanni Gurrieri.

For Piazza Duomo, it is instead established that the outdoor seating of a business should be placed along the railing that borders the artistic fountain, in order to clear the view and enhance the facade of the site.

The council resolution no. 437 of December 24, 2025 refers to the recognition of an additional 50% increase in the already authorized outdoor seating area, based on the internal square footage designated for service.

It should be noted that, during the health emergency from Covid-19, the Government had introduced a simplified regime for public land occupancy with the Relaunch Decree (May 2020), with facilitated procedures and exemption from the payment of the fee.

“A disparity of treatment between the two most important squares of the UNESCO heritage city – explains Salvo Scollo, a member of the Confimprese board – that we cannot understand. We have a different overall vision regarding the issues raised by the administration. A complicated tourist season is anticipated due to multiple factors. The extension of the sales area, equal to 50%, for all commercial activities in Ragusa, without any distinction, was one of our priorities.”

On the front of the multi-storey parking in Ragusa Ibla, the councilor for Public Works, Gianni Giuffrida, assured that the process, although complex, is progressing: the acquisition of all opinions, the definition of the financial coverage, and the economic-financial plan are underway.

The intervention is planned in project financing, with a total investment of 13 million euros, of which 5 million will be borne by the Municipality of Ragusa and the Free Consortium.