28.11.2025 16:00
The President of the Eskişehir Gastronomy Association, Murat Arnik, stated that small businesses are struggling to survive due to increasing financial burdens and the fact that municipalities are imposing fines of up to 3 million TL by considering the structures of thousands of licensed businesses, such as awnings and pergolas, as "illegal." He called on three mayors and politicians to find a solution to the problem.
Eskişehir Chamber of Tradesmen and Butchers Presidential Candidate and President of Eskişehir Gastronomy Association Murat Arnik stated that small tradesmen are facing a serious crisis due to increasing financial burdens, municipal practices, and inspection pressure, calling on municipalities to "be reasonable."
Emphasizing that tradesmen and artisans are the "backbone" of the Turkish economy, Arnik said, "Tradesmen are not a burden on the state; on the contrary, they are a sector that produces jobs and employment. Nevertheless, we are being crushed under heavy financial burdens and unfair practices."
Arnik listed the challenges faced by tradesmen as unfair tax rates, constant financial inspection pressure, high commissions from online food platforms, rising commodity prices, and high rental withholding costs. He reacted to the sudden classification of thousands of licensed businesses in Eskişehir, which have built pergolas, gazebos, awnings, automatic canopies, and retractable glass systems in their usage areas, as "illegal structures," describing this practice as "a great injustice."
Arnik pointed out that there is no clear regulation in the legislation regarding these lightweight structures, which are considered standard in many cities in Turkey, and that even judicial decisions vary. Nevertheless, he stated that after the audits by the Court of Accounts, thousands of tradesmen in Eskişehir have been billed. He explained that businesses are facing fines ranging from 250,000 TL to 3 million TL due to these systems, and many businesses are involved in legal disputes.
"A Solution Must Be Found by the New Year"
Arnik stated, "Municipalities may have been warned due to years of inaction in the Court of Accounts reports; however, it is unacceptable for the bill to be handed to the tradesmen today. This burden is not only economic but also psychologically wears down the tradesmen," and expressed that if a solution is not found by the New Year, thousands of businesses in Eskişehir will face the risk of closure.
Finally, Murat Arnik called on the three mayors of Eskişehir; Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality Ayşe Ünlüce, Mayor of Odunpazarı Kazım Kurt, and Mayor of Tepebaşı Ahmet Ataç, urging them to "be reasonable." He also called on all members of parliament to bring the issue to the assembly and emphasized that they will continue to be the voice of tradesmen.